Pollution to water or land

If you become aware of a pollution incident or even a potential risk to the water environment (surface or groundwater), it is essential that this is reported immediately to the relevant organisation:

Sewer pollution

Discharging from pipes and septic tanks.

• Report to the Environment Agency via their 24/7 hotline 0800 80 70 60; and report to Anglian Water using their online form, or call their 24/7 hotline on 03457 145 145.

Diffuse pollution

Overland soil run-off (from damaged road verges, arable and livestock fields); drainage ditches, field drains and pipes; spoil heaps; and manure and land spreading (arable and livestock).

• Report to the Environment Agency via their 24/7 hotline 0800 80 70 60.

Industrial/Urban pollution

Construction works; building sites; industrial effluent; urban sediment and surface run-off.

• Report to the Environment Agency via their 24/7 hotline 0800 80 70 60; and report to construction company if contact details are visible at the site entrance.

Details

If possible, have the following information to hand:

• What you’ve seen – description e.g. colour and smell, length of watercourse impacted and any wildlife affected;
• Photos;
• Location – key landmarks, and is it near or flowing towards a watercourse;
• Date and time it was first seen.