To Report a Hazardous Material Spill/Leak, Environmental Crime or Illegal Dumping in progress, Call 911
 

For Questions Related to Hazardous Materials and Storage Regulations or to Report Hazardous Material Violations, email us or call 703.746.4200 (business hours) or 703.836.0041 (after business hours)

Hours of Operation:  Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Hazardous materials are substances or materials, in any form or quantity, which pose unreasonable risk to safety, health or property when released from their container.  Some hazardous materials are more common than others and many can be found within household environments.  Many of these products are used on a daily basis without any incident, but can cause problems if not properly handled or disposed. 

 Examples of common hazardous materials include:

• Fuel and other petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel, transmission fluid, motor oil, brake fluid, kerosene)
• Propane
• Butane, ethanol, methane (natural gas)
• Explosives
• Solvents, paint thinners and strippers, varnish
• Strong cleaning agents (drain cleaners, metal cleaners, brush and paint cleaning agents)

Facilities that store or use hazardous materials may be required to obtain a Fire Prevention Permit required by the  Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, as amended by the City of Alexandria.

• Fire Prevention Permit (FPP) Application 

Examples of materials or use of materials that typically require a Fire Prevention Permit:

• Service Station, Repair Garage, Auto Body Shops
• Flammable and combustible liquids storage and use
• Cutting and welding, hot work, use or torch or open flame device
• Propane storage and use
• Compressed gases
• Explosives
• Corrosive materials
• Aerosols
• Toxic materials

Note  - it is unlawful to release any hazardous substance or chemical into any storm drain or sewer within the City of Alexandria, including: automotive fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline or other motor fuels);  paint, paint thinner, varnish, solvents and any hazardous cleaning chemicals.

• Many hazardous materials can be recycled through the City of Alexandria  recycling center; click HERE for a list of acceptable and unacceptable recyclable hazardous materials.

City of Alexandria    

• Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) - responsible for the administration of  the City's air, water and noise improvement programs, which help preserve and protect the environment, public health and welfare. The following are activities and programs regulated by OEQ:
  • Monitoring air and water quality
  • Issuance of noise variance permits
  • Investigation of pollution complaints
  • Inspection of storm water management facilities
• City of Alexandria Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)  - responsible for creating and distributing an emergency plan that addresses extremely hazardous substances (as specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
• City of Alexandria Office of Emergency Management  -  coordinates the City's processes of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from man-made and natural disasters.
• Alexandria Health Department  - information about healthcare programs, disease control and prevention, and environmental health issues.  The Health Department regulates food and health safety in restaurants, food vendors and pools.
• Alexandria Sanitation Authority - operates and maintains the wastewater treatment plant that serves the City of Alexandria.
•   Eco-City Alexandria - to create an Eco-City Charter  and Environmental Action Plan  to guide Alexandria toward sustainability.

Commonwealth of Virginia

• Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) - responsible for the administration of state air and water quality programs and regulation of waste management.  DEQ also investigates pollution complaints.   

Federal

• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  - responsible for protection of health and the environment.  The EPA enforces Federal environmental laws and administers Federal air, water and pollution programs.