Cleanup Enforcement

EPA's cleanup enforcement authorities extend beyond hazardous waste sites and contaminated properties.

Underground Storage Tanks: The UST program includes authority to cleanup leaking underground storage tanks.

Oil Pollution Act: OPA includes authority to issue orders to prevent discharges of, and to cleanup, oil or hazardous substances in navigable waters, adjoining shorelines and certain other areas.

Clean Air Act: CAA includes the authority for EPA to take action when an imminent and substantial endangerment is caused by the emission of air pollutants.

Clean Water Act: CWA includes authority to remove, mitigate or prevent a discharge of hazardous substances or oil into navigable waters, shorelines and certain other areas; and to address imminent and substantial endangerments to public health or welfare caused by the discharge of pollutants by taking action to protect the public and abate the endangerment.

Safe Drinking Water Act: SDWA includes authority to address an actual or potential imminent and substantial endangerment caused by contaminants in, or likely to enter, public water systems or underground drinking water sources.

EPA's Office of Civil Enforcement is responsible for overseeing cleanup enforcement matters under the CAA (clean air), TSCA (toxic substances), and SDWA (drinking water), as well as enforcement of non-cleanup matters under all of EPA’s statutes.

Visit the Office of Civil Enforcement's web page for information on non-cleanup enforcement activities associated with these environmental statutes.