Report An Environmental Problem

You can now report some environmental problems on GOV.UK via the Environment Agency's new online reporting service, 'Report an environmental problem', which makes reporting more convenient and more accessible to you.

Alongside our telephone incident hotline, the new online service will offer you an additional way to report environmental problems that are within the Environment Agency's remit, instantly on any device.

For the first time ever, you will be able to report your environmental concerns to us online 24/7. All reports will be assessed in the same way as telephone reports and as the only official online reporting route, you can trust that your report will receive appropriate attention and action.

How To Report Environmental Problems

Online: Visit Report an environmental problem - GOV.UK

Phone: Call our national incident hotline on: 0800 80 70 60

What You Can Currently Report Online

Our new online service will initially allow you to report:

  • Water pollution in the sea, lakes, reservoirs, rivers or other watercourses in England.
    Pollution can include:

    • sewage

    • 'run-off' from farms

    • discharges from industry

    • leaks from objects in the river, such as vehicles

  • Unpleasant smells from industry and businesses in England. This includes smells from:

    • rubbish tips

    • recycling centres

    • other waste management activities

    • any site that we regulate

  • Illegal fishing

    • fishing out of season

    • fishing without a licence

    • using illegal equipment

    • trapping of protected species


More environmental problems will be introduced further down the line.

Why It's Important To Use The Service

Every report submitted to the Environment Agency, whether online or by phone, contributes to our understanding of environmental issues and helps us to assess and prioritise our regulation and incident response efforts to where they'll have the greatest impact. As climate change intensifies, this real-time intelligence is invaluable to protect our waterways, land, air quality and local environments.

We therefore encourage you to report environmental problems you encounter in your communities.