Regulations last checked for updates: May 02, 2025

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: Nov 02, 2025
§ 135.11 - Service of notice.

(a) Notice of intent to file suit pursuant to section 1449(a)(1) of the Act shall be served in the following manner upon an alleged violator of any requirement prescribed by or under the Act:

(1) If the alleged violator is an individual or corporation, service of notice shall be accomplished by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to, or by personal service upon, such individual or corporation. If a public water system or underground injection well is alleged to be in violation, service shall be upon the owner or operator. A copy of the notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the region in which such violation is alleged to have occurred, the chief administrative officer of the responsible state agency (if any), and the Attorney General for the State in which the violation is alleged to have occurred. If the alleged violator is a corporation, a copy of the notice shall also be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered agent (if any) of the corporation in the State in which the violation is alleged to have occurred.

(2) If the alleged violator is a State or local agency, service of notice shall be accomplished by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to, or by personal service upon, the head of such agency. A copy of the notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the region in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, the chief administrative officer of the responsible state agency (if any), and the Attorney General for the State in which the violation is alleged to have occurred.

(3) If the alleged violator is a Federal agency, service of notice shall be accomplished by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to, or by personal service upon, the head of the Federal agency. A copy of the notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for the region in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, the Attorney General of the United States, the chief administrative officer of the responsible state agency (if any), and the Attorney General for the State in which the violation is alleged to have occurred.

(b) Service of notice of intent to file suit pursuant to section 1449(a)(2) of the Act shall be accomplished by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to, or by personal service upon, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460. A copy of the notice shall be sent by certified mail to the Attorney General of the United States.

(c) Notice given in accordance with the provisions of this subpart shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt of service, if served personally. If service was accomplished by mail, the date of receipt will be considered to be the date noted on the return receipt card.

authority: Subpart A, issued under Sec. 505, Clean Water Act, as amended 1987; Sec. 504, Pub. L. 100-4; 101 Stat. 7 (33 U.S.C. 1365). Subpart B, issued under Sec. 1449, Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-8)
source: 38 FR 15040, June 7, 1973, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 135.11