Emergency Response

Emergency Response Hotline: (602) 771-2330 or (800) 234-5677 - Toll Free

The ADEQ Emergency Response Unit is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure that all environmental emergencies are promptly addressed. The Unit works to minimize injuries, deaths, property damage and threats to human health and the environment from chemical spills, fires, explosions and other pollutant releases by stabilizing emergency incidents through its role as the environmental support agency of the State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan Leaving ADEQ Web site.

For non-emergency environmental concerns or situations that you believe threatens the environment, such as a trash dump, discarded waste tires, or colored water in a stream, please File a Complaint.

Violation versus an Emergency?

An environmental violation occurs when an activity or an existing condition does not comply with an environmental law or regulation. Environmental violations can include (but are not limited to):

  • Smoke or other emissions from local industrial facilities;
  • Tampering with emission control or air conditioning systems in automobiles;
  • Improper treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous wastes;
  • Exceedances of pollutant limits at publicly-owned wastewater treatment plants;
  • Unpermitted dredging or filling of waters and wetlands;
  • Any unpermitted industrial activity; or
  • Late-night dumping or any criminal activity including falsifying reports or other documents.

An environmental emergency is a sudden threat to the public health or the well-being of the environment, arising from the release or potential release of oil, radioactive materials, or hazardous chemicals into the air, land, or water.

Examples of environmental emergencies include:

  • Oil and chemical spills;
  • Radiological and biological discharges;
  • Accidents causing releases of pollutants.

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