Chemical or Oil Spill Reporting Requirement

By law, you must report chemical or petroleum (gas or oil) spills to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

When to report a chemical or oil spill

The spiller must report a chemical or oil spill to the DEC if it meets all of these conditions:

• The spill is more than five gallons.
• The spill is not contained and not under the spiller's control.
• The spill has reached or will reach the State's water or land.
• The spill is not cleaned up within two hours of discovery.

By law, anyone who knows about a chemical or oil spill at a place storing more than 1,100 gallons, such as a gas station, must report the spill.