If you see someone dumping anything into the Rouge River, on the side of the road or even down the storm drain on your street, report it to your local community or to Michigan's Pollution Alert System at 800-292-4706. You play a crucial role because local and federal governments do not have the resources to monitor every location at all times. Your vigilance helps ensure that these issues are addressed quickly and effectively, protecting both the environment and public health.
If your answer to any of the below questions is "yes," you should report the location to your local municipality so they can investigate. Take pictures or videos of the pollution, and if it is safe to do so, get the license plate of any vehicle dumping along with the make and model.
IS IT UNUSUAL? Does the pollution seem "not the norm" and different from how things are typically disposed of?
DOES IT SMELL? Some chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers have a strong odor and may even burn your eyes, mouth, or nose. This is a sign of illegal dumping that should be reported.
DOES IT LOOK BAD? Do you see an odd-colored discharge or sheen from a pipe going into the river or do you see dead fish or animals in the vicinity of pollution? Is there dead grass or plants around the pollution? You may also see a pipe discharging foam or solids. These are all signs that should be reported to your local community for further investigation.
DOES IT SEEM SECRETIVE? Most people that dump things illegally know what they are doing and attempt to be secretive in their actions. You may hear or see a truck pouring something into a sewer, river or on the side of the road late at night. Have you seen someone dumping barrels, cans, or bags at a site where it should not go like an alley, river or empty lot and then driving away? Report these activities to your local community for follow-up.
To learn more about illegal dumpling and other ways you can help protect water quality in the Rouge River watershed, visit the Alliance of Rouge Communities website at https://www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/illdump.html.