Water Pollution Prevention
Spills to the Sewer
Contact Us
For more information or to report a spill
Call 905-546-2489 or
Email [email protected]
A spill is a discharge of an abnormal quantity of a pollutant that occurs outside of the ordinary course of events.
Spills can happen anywhere, at industries, businesses, and even households. Improperly disposing of chemicals, paints, motor oils and other pollutants by dumping to the storm sewer or natural environment can contaminate our waterways which is the source of our drinking water. Harmful materials spilled to the sanitary sewer can create public health hazards and impair the operation of the City’s wastewater treatment plant.
Report a Spill
Call the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489 in the event of a spill. We will take your calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The law requires you to notify the City of a spill as soon as possible. City staff will follow up to investigate the spill.
Provincial regulations require that you also report spills to the Spill Action Centre operated by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks by calling 1-800-268-6060.
Spill clean up
The person having control or ownership of the spilled material is legally responsible for the clean up of the material and the restoration of the affected areas. This includes cost incurred by other parties, including the City of Hamilton.
A variety of qualified contractors are available 24 hours a day for spill containment and clean up. Check the yellow pages for Environmental Consultants & Services, Hazardous Materials Handling or Liquid Waste Removal.
Containing spills
Here are some ways you can contain a spill:
-
Sweep outdoor spills and dispose of in the trash (landfill) if it isn’t hazardous. If it is hazardous, take it to a Community Recycling Centre.
-
For wet spills like oil, apply cat litter or another absorbent material, then sweep and bring to a Community Recycling Centre.
-
Try to stop the source of a spill if you can do it safely.
-
Prevent spills with secondary containment drip pans.
-
Call the City if you see someone pouring material into a storm sewer catch basin, sanitary sewer or land drainage works.
Make sure you avoid:
-
rinsing spills with water
-
hosing down your driveway
-
letting people walk or drive through the spill
-
cleaning up unknown or suspect material
Report illegal dumping
If you see someone pouring chemicals, oils, paints or any other suspicious material into a storm sewer catch basin, sanitary sewer or land drainage works, call the Call the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489 to report illegal dumping.
Date modified