Report an environmental problem

How you report an environmental problem depends on what the problem is. 

Environmental problems can include: 

  • water pollution
  • flooding
  • smells
  • damage to nature
  • illegal fishing
  • a collapsed river bank

There’s a different way to report an environmental incident in Wales, an environmental incident in Scotland and an environmental incident in Northern Ireland.

Report water pollution 

Water pollution includes sewage or spills in places such as the sea, rivers, lakes, streams or canals.

Report water pollution.

Report flooding

Report a flood or possible cause of flooding.

Report a smell

If the smell is coming from a neighbour or local business, contact your local council. You’ll need to ask for their environmental health department.

There’s a different way to report a smell from a waste facility, industrial site or farm.

Report other environmental problems 

Call the Environment Agency to report:

  • collapsed or badly damaged river banks
  • damage or danger to the natural environment
  • dead fish or fish gasping for air
  • people taking water illegally from rivers, streams, canals or underground sources such as wells
  • incidents at Environment Agency-regulated waste sites
  • main rivers blocked by a vehicle or fallen tree causing risk of flooding
  • poaching or illegal fishing
  • pollution to land
  • unusual changes in river flow

Environment Agency incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60
24-hour service
Find out about call charges 

There’s a different way to make a complaint about the Environment Agency.

After you make your report

Find out how the Environment Agency respond to problems you report.

Report waste crime

Waste crime includes:

  • running a waste site without an environmental permit
  • large scale waste dumping (such as lorries dumping rubbish)
  • illegally exporting waste, including broken vehicles
  • transporting waste without a waste carrier registration
  • illegal burial or burning of waste
  • dumping 75 litres or more of hazardous waste 
  • dumping a skip load or more of asbestos

You can report waste crime anonymously to Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers
Report crime online
Telephone: 0800 555 111
24-hour service
Find out about call charges  

If someone has illegally dumped waste on your land

You’ll need to decide how to deal with the waste and pay for someone to dispose of it properly. 

You could be fined up to £200 if you do not dispose of the waste properly.

If there’s a risk to the environment or human health, call the Environment Agency hotline.

Environment Agency incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60
24-hour service
Find out about call charges 

Problems you should report to your local council

Contact your local council to:

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