Reporting an Environmental Complaint to PDEQ

PDEQ strives to identify and respond to environmental concerns in Pima County. For a description of the types of problems that PDEQ can address, see Topics below.  To file a complaint either call 740-3340 and ask to speak to a Complaint Coordinator, or fill out our online complaint form.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Address of property where the problem has occurred or is occurring.
• Detailed directions to the location where you observed the problem if it is difficult to find, be as specific as possible.
• The time the incident occurred and whether it is continuing at the time of your call.
• If you observed a person illegally dumping waste from a vehicle, give a description of the vehicle and the license number.
• The name of the property owner, if known.
• Description of the problem.
• The weather conditions during each occurrence.
• The location and extent of property damage, if any.
• Any other information that may relate the problem to a specific source or operation.

The Complaint Coordinator will ask for your name, address and phone number when you call to report a complaint. Although this information is not required in order to file a complaint, the information does help PDEQ inspectors to verify complaint information and allows them to inform complainants of the status of complaint investigation activities.

Important Phone Numbers

• Pima County Department of Environmental Quality - 740-3340
• Smoking Vehicle Hotline - 622-5700
• Illegal Dumping Hotline - 622-5800

Resolving Environmental Complaints

The information that you give to the Complaint Coordinator or online complaint form will be forwarded to a PDEQ inspector for follow-up and resolution. Complaints which involve an immediate threat to human health receive the top priority.

An inspector will survey the suspected area where the incident occurred, look for evidence of the problem, and attempt to verify its cause. The inspector may need additional information from you, the complainant, in order to complete the investigation. If the inspector observes and documents a violation of applicable sections of Pima County environmental regulations, a Notice of Violation (NOV) will be issued to the responsible party. The time frames for investigations may vary because of the necessity for fairness and due process of law to all parties involved.

After the investigation, the inspector may contact you to discuss his/her findings (as long as you supplied contact information). If the problem occurs again at another time, you should call 740-3340 to report additional instances as they happen.

Topics for Questions and Complaints

The following is a description of the types of problems that PDEQ can address, how you can file a complaint if you observe such a problem, and how PDEQ evaluates, responds to, and resolves your environmental complaints.

Pima County Department of Environmental Quality can respond to questions and complaints regarding the following topics:

AIR QUALITY

• Permits
• Emissions coming from a business
• Burning
• Smoke
• Dust
• Monitoring air quality

WATER QUALITY

• Drinking water provided by small water companies - For information about drinking water provided by large water companies (Tucson Water, Metro Water), contact Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at 628-6733.
• Industrial discharges
• Draining swimming pools, washers, sinks, etc.

WASTE

• Uncontained garbage in residential areas (county only) - In the City of Tucson, contact City of Tucson Solid Waste Department at 791-3171.
• Illegal or wildcat dumping
• Abandoned vehicles on vacant land - Report abandoned vehicles on county roadsides to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. If a vehicle has been abandoned on private property, contact Pima County Zoning at 740-6740.
• Solid and liquid waste haulers
• Raw sewage
• Septic systems (approvals and percolation tests)

ASBESTOS

• Removal and disposal of asbestos
• Demolition projects

NOISE

• In the City of Tucson, noise complaints should be directed to the Tucson Police Department.
• In Pima County, noise complaints should be directed to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.