Pollution

• Diffuse pollution
• Pollution incidents

• There were 2,519 pollution incidents in the South West in 2008 - the third highest recorded by a region behind Midlands and Anglian.
• There has been a steady reduction in pollution incidents across the South West - 29% between 2004 and 2008.
• Agriculture causes the most significant number of serious pollution incidents in the region.
• Large areas of the region have been designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - which will cover almost 50% of the region.
• Stretches of rivers with high phosphate concentrations reduced from 54% in 1990 to 43% in 2007.
• Stretches of river recording high nitrate concentrations increased from 22% in 1990 to 26% in 2007. 

Pollution incidents such as oil spills or the accidental release of raw sewage can damage the environment, harm wildlife and pose a threat to human health.

Pollution incidents should be reported through the Environment Agency’s 24-hour pollution hotline – 0800 80 70 60.

Diffuse pollution can arise from many sources, which are generally dispersed and diverse in nature.  Derived from current and past land use in both agriculture and urban environments, sources may individually be small but their collective impact can be damaging.