A Quick Guide to Reporting Environmental Incidents

It can be difficult to know when to report an incident, but it’s important to do so to ensure it is addressed quickly and appropriately.  

Thankfully, you can report an incident quickly and easily. In this handy guide, we will break down what types of incidents need reporting, how to report them, and who to. 

What should I report? 

• collapsed or badly damaged riverbanks 

• damage or danger to the natural environment (for example fires) 

• dead fish or fish gasping for air 

• flooding from main rivers or the sea 

• 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 

• main rivers blocked by a fallen tree but only if it is causing risk of flooding 

• poaching or illegal fishing 

• pollution to water or land 

• unusual changes in river flow

How do I report an incident? 

Call the Environment Agency Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60 
24-hour service 

If you encounter drainage or effluent problems, please also inform Southern Water. This will speed up the response time. 

Drainage or sewage problem? Please also call 0330 303 0368 or report via the Southern Water website here.