Reporting Procedures for Spills and Overflows in Southeast Virginia

In the event of a sewage overflow, both the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Health/Office of Drinking Water and the Division of Shellfish Sanitation must be notified immediately, by telephone, that an overflow has occurred.

Emergency telephone numbers are:

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Tidewater Regional Office
5636 Southern Boulevard
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Phone: (757) 518-2000 (Main number) (answering machine for after hours)
PREP: (757) 518-2177 Barbara Jones, C & M Support Tech
Fax: (757) 518-2103
Phone: (757) 518-2077 (Pollution Response Program) (answering machine for after hours)

Virginia Department of Emergency Services
Richmond, Virginia
Phone: (800) 468-8892 (24-Hour Number)

Virginia Department of Health
Office of Drinking Water
830 Southampton Avenue, Room 2058
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Phone: (757) 683-2000

Virginia Department of Health
Division of Shellfish Sanitation
401 Colley Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia 23507
Phone: (757) 683-2700

Virginia Department of Health
Division of Shellfish Sanitation
109 Governor Street, Room 614B058
Richmond, Virginia 23219

In making this notification, an estimate of the amount of sewage discharge must be provided as well as estimated time of limitation of the discharge. All telephone notifications shall be confirmed in writing by five business days.

Overflows/spills shall be contained and removed in accordance with Health Department regulations. Oveflows should be prevented as much as possible from entering nearby waters, lakes, rivers, or adjuacent propertieds. It should be isolated and treated with lime or chlorine if exposed for a long period of time.