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If you live within the Houston city limits and are concerned about something you smell, hear or if you experience something irritating your eyes, nose or breathing, you can start by calling 311 or call directly the Bureau of Pollution Control and Prevention (BPCP) at 832-393-5730. Operators at the call center are available Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reference the environmental violations field guide to help provide the most accurate description of the problem. An automated voice system will record your complaint at any other time. You’ll be asked for your name, address and phone number. This information is kept confidential and is necessary if you want to be contacted by an investigator. Ask for your case number before you hang up. A self-service request form is also available online at www.houston311.org.

An additional resource is the Environmental Investigation Squad under HPD's Department of Major Offender. If you know of an environmental violation, call their 24/6 bilingual hotline at (713) 525-2727 or email your complaint to Environmental.Investigations@houstontx.gov.

In some cases you should make your environmental complaint with the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) by using their online form or call 1-888-777-3186.  The TCEQ holds meetings several times throughout the year. You can sign up for email updates by clicking here. Types of problems under the TCEQ's jurisdiction are if you

  • see water that may be polluted
  • see or smell something unpleasant in the air
  • see land that may be contaminated
  • have problems with your drinking water
  • have information or evidence about an environmental problem
  • have problems with an individual or company licensed or registered by the TCEQ
  • need more information about a possible pollution source, including permitting status, compliance history, or other complaints that may have been filed against that source
  • need assistance understanding environmental laws

If you do not live in Houston but in Harris County, call the Harris County Pollution Control at 713-920-2831 or the TCEQ.

  • Galveston County call 409-938-2251.
  • Outside of Galveston and Harris Counties, call TCEQ at 888-777-3186.
     

You can call the Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) Odor Network 713-476-2237 to report an odor regardless of the source. The odor network is a voluntary effort by local industry to help companies identify and eliminate industrial odor sources, and to provide you with an immediate means of alerting companies of odors in the air. Be sure to be as specific as possible.

  • The nature of the problem. Smoke? Odor?
  • The date and time of the problem. Make a note if it is an ongoing problem.
  • Source of the problem if known.
     

Community Advisory Panel (CAP) meetings were established throughout the region to improve communications between industry and residents. These meetings are held several times during the year, and industry representatives are available for questions and comments from community members. Industry present their annual emissions through the Toxic Release Inventory report in the late fall. The only requirement to become a member is to live in proximity to industry. For more information call Air Alliance Houston at 713-528-3779. 

Get involved in your local civic club. You can obtain more information about civic organizations and activities affecting your community by contacting your Neighborhood Liaison through the Houston Citizen’s Assistance Office 713-247-2907. If you do not live in Houston, contact your city government to find out information on your community’s civic club.
 

 

 




 

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