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How to report a spill

Home heating oil spill in a basementA home heating oil spill in a basement.

Discharges of hazardous substances generally fall into one of two broad categories:

  1. Spills - Spills that need an immediate response. These can include a tank truck rollover, failure of a storage tank valve or failure of a wall in a manure storage lagoon. Call the 24-hour emergency hotline at 1-800-943-0003.
  2. Discovery of Spills Through Analysis - Contamination that is discovered via sampling. Report discovery of a discharge that is identified through analysis of soil, sediment, vapor, indoor air or water using the online Notification for Hazardous Substance Discharge Form – Non-Emergency Only (Form 4400-225). Directions for submitting the form are available on the RR Program Submittal Portal web page. Please include a summary of the laboratory data with the form. Don't wait for a written report describing the contamination – immediately submit the form, or make a phone call to a DNR regional office.

Federal reporting requirements

A responsible party may also have to comply with other state and/or federal reporting requirements relating to the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). To report a spill, contact the The Federal Government National Response Center [exit DNR] (800-424-8802).

To determine if you have a federally reportable spill, please check EPA's Consolidated Lists of Lists [exit DNR].