Your Guide for Reporting
Environmental Emergencies
In Berks County
Pennsylvania's Environmental Rights Amendment
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic and
aesthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common
property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee for these resources, the
Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.
Article 1, Section 27,
Pennsylvania Constitution
Pennsylvania's Constitution guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth the right to a clean environment.
But with this right comes responsibility. We all have a part to play in protecting the environment today
and for generations to come. How can you help? By reporting pollution incidents when you see them.
If you need to report a pollution incident, start by thinking locally. Contact your township, borough or
county officials about trash, litter, strange odors, recycling pickup, and household chemical disposal,
including paints, pesticides, oil, antifreeze, etc. When its time to contact agency officials, the Berks
County Green Page provides you with the most important numbers for protecting our environment.
Many of the numbers provided here are specifically for reporting environmental emergencies. If
you are only seeking general program information for the agencies listed, look in the blue pages
of your telephone book for the appropriate telephone numbers.
To report an environmental emergency, look at the table below. Look in the left-hand column to
find the environmental issue about which you are concerned. Immediately to the right, you will see the
name and address of the agency to which you should report specific environmental emergencies. The
column with the heading "Phone Number" indicates where to call and when. Always read the "Special
Notes" column before calling. Some agencies also accept written reports of environmental emergencies.
When reporting environmental emergencies, provide as much information as possible. Photographs
documenting a pollution incident may be helpful, but check with the appropriate agency to find out if
photographs are needed. And be sure to follow-up on your call to learn what action has been taken.
Report dumping or spills IMMEDIATELY to the
PA DEP Reading District Office, 610-916-0100.
After hours you may call toll-free 1-888-975-9690
Prepared by: Schuylkill Office - Delaware Riverkeeper Network
PO Box 459; Saint Peters, Pennsylvania 19470-0459
Ph: 610-469-6005 o Fx: 610-469-6025 o Pollution Hotline: 1-888-HOMEWATers (1-888-466-3928)
Email: [email protected] On the Web: www.delawareriverkeeper.org
