Pollution events can cause acute and dramatic changes to the environment. The effect of pollution events on the environment depends on their severity, ranging from minor and localised effects to complete devastation for a number of years.

Pollution incidents, which can affect water, air and land, are described in terms of their impact. There are 4 main categories, which are:

Category 1 (the most serious)
Category 2 (significant but less severe than category 1)
Category 3 (minor incidents)
Category 4 (incidents with no environmental impact)

Pollution incident categories are described fully in the Environment Agency's pollution category page

Report a pollution incident

Pollution incidents in England and Wales are investigated by the Environment Agency. If you spot a pollution incident, call the Environment Agency's 24 hour pollution hotline on 0800 80 70 60

South West pollution incidents

There were 3,726 Category 1 - 4 pollution incidents affecting water, land and air in the region during 2005. This was a 5% increase on 2004 (3,538), but a 1% decline since 2002 (3,772).

Total Category 1 - 4 pollution incidents affecting water, land & air in the South West 2002 - 2005

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

The key trend was a decrease in Category 1 incidents to water from 11 in 2004 to 7 in 2005. Incidents causing a significant impact decreased by 4%, however, minor and no environmental impact incidents have increased (by 4% and 7% respectively). Of significance is that only category 1 incidents to occur in the region between 2002 and 2005 (29 in total) impacted on water.

See the graph and table below for more information.

South West Pollution Incidents 2002-2005 according to severity

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Impact Levels	2002	2003	2004	2005	% change
Category 1 (major)	8	3	11	7	-36%
Category 2 (significant)	83	77	69	66	-4%
Category 3 (minor)	1838	1801	1609	1671	4%
Category 4 (no impact)	1843	2065	1849	1982	7%
Total number of incidents	3772	3938	3538	3726	5%

Source: Environment Agency (2006)

The following maps show the locations of pollution incidents in the region during 2005

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South West Category 1 and 2 pollution incidents impacting on water in 2005

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South West Category 3 pollution incidents impacting on water in 2005

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Flytipping incidents in the South West, category 1 - 3 in 2005

Fly tipping having some impact on the environment tend to be concentrated in and around urban areas. In the South West fly tipping hot spots can be found in Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth.

More information about flytipping incidents in the South West

Analysis of pollution incidents by source of pollution in 2005

Pollution can be caused by several factors and the exact source is not always found. Nationally, the main sources of pollution incidents in 2005 with an environmental impact (category 1-3) were:

Sewage and water industry (14.1% of incidents)
Waste management (10.3%)
Industry (10.7%)
Domestic & residential (7.7%)
Agriculture (5.9 %)
Transport (3.7%)
Other (47.6%) (other sources include wholesale and retail premises, restaurants, pubs, recreational grounds and source not identified)

The graph and table below reveals the regional breakdown of pollution incidents by source:

2005 pollution Incidents by the source of the pollutant (category 1 - 4)

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

It is worthy to note that the South West had the highest number of incidents caused by agriculture, transport and domestic & residential.

A detailed breakdown of pollution incidents by source in the South West is shown in the pie charts below.

South West Pollution Incidents By Source, 2005 (Category 1-4)

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

In the South West, the greatest number of pollution incidents were caused by ‘other’ sources (49%) and the sewage & water industry (17%). The region has the highest percentage of agricultural incidents, reflecting the importance of the South West as an agricultural region (with over 80% of land area is classified as agricultural – see agriculture for more information)

Of the most serious pollution incidents (Category 1 and 2), the picture is different. The number of incidents attributed to ‘other’ sources has declined significantly, along with sewage & water industry. See pie chart below.

‘Other', industry and domestic & residential were the key sources of major pollution incidents in the region.

South West Pollution Incidents by Source 2005 (Category 1& 2)

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

Sub-regional pollution incident breakdown

Variations in climate, topography, population and local economic activity also have a key influence on sub-regional pollution events, as can be seen in the graph below.

Total Pollution Incidents (Category 1-4) in 2005 according to County

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

Cornwall pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source	Number of IncidentS	Comparison to 2004	Comment
All pollution incidents (Category 1-4)	844
Category 1-3	363	A 7% decrease on 2004
Category 1	4	A 3% increase on 2004
Agriculture (Category 1-3)	34	A 41% decrease (24) on 2004	The events were evenly spread throughout the county. The dairy farming sector caused the most incidents at 14 (4%) followed by beef with 13. The category 1 incident occurred in beef farming. There were four category 2 events (the same as in 2004) these were allocated between the dairy, beef and market gardening. Slurry and dilute slurry pollutant incidents decreased 39% by 16% on 2004 figures. Incidents have reduced by 47% since 2002.
Domestic & residential	20 incidents	A decrease of 19 on 2004 with private dwellings accounting for 18, 19 less than in 2004.	There were no category 1 incidents. The one category 2 event occurred in private dwellings
Oils and Fuel	50 Category 2 & 3 incidents	A 2-3% increase of 2 on 2004.	Category 2 incidents totalled two a decrease of 1. The pollutants were diesel and kerosene and aviation fuel. Diesel accounted for the majority of events (16), followed by gas & fuel oils with 11. Incidents to oils and fuel have reduced by 43% since 2002.
Sewage & water industry	79 Category 2 & 3 events.	11% (10) less than 2004.	Water Industry Category 2 incidents were reduced to three, a 50% decrease from 2004. Foul sewer and pumping stations & sewage works accounted for the highest number of events (21 and 17 respetively) Sewage Sewage materials accounted for 118 category 2 & 3 incidents in 2004, down 8% (11). The three category 2 events were due to crude sewage (2 incidents) and storm sewage (1 incident). Crude sewage accounted for the highest number of incidents with 69. There has been a 17% reduction in incidents since 2002.
Transport	9	A decrease of 15 (63%), all category 3	Road and marine incidents accounted for the highest number of events (both causing 4 incidents) Marine incidents were mainly due to fuel spills from small commercial vessels. There has been a 78% decrease in incidents since 2002.
Fly Tipping	64 category 3 incidents	A 27% (36) decrease on 2004.	Fly tipping incidents concentrated mainly around urban areas, especially Plymouth. There were no category 1 or 2 incidents in 2005. There has been a 47% decrease in incidents since 2002

Devon pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source	Number of IncidentS	Comparison to 2004	Comment
All pollution incidents (Category 1-4)	726
Category 1-3	408	A 1% decrease on 2004
Category 1	2	Equal to 2004	1 incident was atributed to service sector whilst the source of the other was not identified.
Agriculture (Category 1-3)	49	A 9% reduction of on 2004	There was no major incident to the dairy sector. There was one Category 2 event (a decrease of six on 2004) this occurred to dairy farming. There were 29 incidents resulting from dairy farming, which were evenly spread throughout the county. There were 33 incidents attributed to slurry and dilute slurry - making this the largest pollutant in the agricultural sector. However, these incidents have reduced 6% on 2004
Domestic & residential	37 Category 2 & 3 events .	A 26% decrease on 2004	Private dwellings were responsible for 30 of the total incidents. The category 2 incident was also attributed to private dwellings. There were 20 oils and fuel incidents from domestic and residential premises
Oils and fuel	70 Category 1-3 incidents,	an increase of 3% on 2003.	There was one category 1 and one category 2 incident, both to gas and fuel oils. Gas and fuel oils (34%) was the most common pollutant followed by diesel (19%).
Sewage & water industry	Water Industry - 119 Category 2 and 3 incidents Sewage - 171 category 2 & 3 incidents	A 10% increase on 2004 An 8% increase on 2004	There were three category 2 incidents (equal to in 2004), which were attributed to pumping station (accounting for 2 incidents) and water treatment works (1 incident). Foul sewer, pumping stations and combined sewers were responsible for the highest number of incidents, accounting for 38, 31 and 18 incidents respectively The five category 2 events were the same number as in 2004. These were attributed to four crude sewage and one process effluent. Crude sewage events increased by 8%.
Transport	15 Category 2 & 3 incidents	A 25% increase on 2004	Road incidents accounted for 7of these events and marine incidents 5.
Fly tipping	45 all category 2 & 3 incidents	A 31% decrease on 2004	There was one category 2 event. Fly tipping events main occurred around urban areas, especially Exeter and Torbay and often adjacent to main truck roads.

North Wessex pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source	Number of IncidentS	Comparison to 2004	Comment
All pollution incidents (Category 1-4)	1551	A 17% increase on 2004.
Category 1-3	735	An 11% (71 incidents) on 2004
Category 1	1	An 85% (6 incidents) on 2004	This was attributed to the service sector - recreation and sports.
Agriculture (Category 1-3)	84 category 2 & 3 incidents	A 14% (10 incidents) on 2004	Category 2 incidents increased from 6 to 10. 8 of which were attributed to dairy and 2 to market gardening/horticulture. Slurry and dilute slurry caused the highest number of incidents (63) a - 47% increase on 2004. Dairy farming was the most frequently identified source, accounting for 54 incidents.
Domestic & residential	86 for category 1-3 incidents	(25% (17) increase on 2004 figure).	Private dwellings were responsible for the highest number of incidents at 74 (up by 13 on 2004) The two primary pollutants were sewage with 48 incidents (50% decrease) and oils & fuel 29 (no change from 2004.
Oils and Fuel	188 Category 1-3 incidents	Equal to 2004	There was one category 1 incidents (down 1 on 2004), attributed to gas and fuel oils. There were 5 Category 2 events (an increase of 3 on 2004). These were attributed to diesel (4), gas & fuel oils (1) and kerosene & aviation fuel (1). Unidentified oil (59) and diesel (47) pollutants caused the most incidents.
Sewage & water industry	Water Industry - 95 incidents Sewage - 207 category 2 & 3 incidents	A 14% increase on 2004 A 22% increase on 2004	Category 2 events decreased from 4 in 2004 to 2 in 2005, both of which were attributed to combined sewers. For the 4th year there were no category 1 events. The one category 2 events was attributed to crude sewage. Crude sewage was the source of 122 incidents in total, and was accountable for the highest number of incidents in 2005.
Transport	34 transport incidents	A 31% increase on 2004	The one category 2 event came from a pipeline. Road transport caused 82% of all transport incidents
Fly tipping	79 Category 2 & 3 incidents	A22% decrease on 2004	There was one category 2 incident, a decrease of one on 2004. There has been a 52% reduction in incidents since 2002. Most of the incidents were in and around urban areas especially Bristol and Bridgwater.

South Wessex pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source	Number of IncidentS	Comparison to 2004	Comment
All pollution incidents (Category 1-4)	599
Category 1-3	235	A 6% (14) increase on 2004
Category 1	None
Agriculture (category 1-3)	21 incidents	An increase of one on 2004	One category 2 incident occurred in the sheep sector. Dairy farming was responsible for the highest number of incidents with with 15 (a decrease of 1 on 2004) Slurry and dilute slurry caused the most incidents with 16 (an increase of 3 from 2004)
Domestic & residential	21	A 36% (12 incidents) decrease on 2004	The one category 2 was to oils and fuel. Private dwellings caused 81% of incidents Sewage materials was responsible the highest number of incidents (12) followed by oils & fuels (6)
Oils and fuel	58 incidents	A decrease of 1 on 2004	Three category 2 incidents (equal to 2004) were attributed to diesel (1 incident) and gas & fuel oils 2 incidents). Diesel caused the highest number of incidents with 20 events (20% increase on 2004). This was followed by gas and fuel oils with 12.
Sewage and water industry	Water Industry - 51 Sewage - 83 events	A 4% increase on 2004 A 20% (14 incidents) increase on 2004	The four category 2 events (an increase of 3) were attributed to foul sewer (3) and pumping station (1). Category 2 had six events (up five). These incidents were crude sewage (4), final effluent (1) and other sewage materials (1). Crude sewage with 57 had the most incidents.
Transport .	14 category 3 incidents,	A decrease of 1 on 2004	There were no category 1 or 2 events in 2004. Road incidents accounted for 86% of total transport incidents
Fly tipping	48 Category 2 & 3 incidents	A 59% decrease on 2004	There were six category 2 incidents in 2004. These incidents are heavily concentrated around the Bournemouth area.

National pollution incidents 2005

The climate, topography, population and local economic activity can influence the number of pollution incidents in each region. Reported incidents have decreased overall from 25, 196 in 2004 to 23,504 in 2005, although Environment Agency Wales and South West regions reported a slight increase. The Midlands had the greatest number of reported incidents.

In 2005, the South West region recorded 6328 substantiated and unsubstantiated pollution incidents (all categories) affecting air, land and water. This ranks the region third in terms of the highest number of pollution incidents in England and Wales (see graph below):

Total pollution incidents in the regions (substantiated, unsubstantiated and total) 2005

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

Analysis of data from 2001 to 2005 shows a clear reduction in the total number (all categories) of substantiated pollution incidents by source in the South West region, with the exception of a 5% increase in 2003. This mirrors the general national picture (see graph below).

Substantiated pollution incidents by Environment Agency region in England and Wales, 2001 to 2005

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Source: Environment Agency (2006)

Find out more about pollution on an international level

The earth's growing pollution problems are part of a new BBC News Online series: Planet Under Pressure. Key worldwide issues include:

pollutant	Scale of the problem
Air	According to the World Health Oganisation (WHO), 3 million people are killed worldwide by outdoor air pollution (vehicles and industrial emissions) annually, whilst 1.6 million are killed by pollution indoors from the use of solid fuels. Most of these people are in poor countries
Water	Water bourne diseases are responsible for 80% of illnesses and deaths in developing countries - killing a child every 8 seconds. Each year 2.1 million people die from diarrheoal diseases associated with poor water quality.
Soil	Heavy metals in soils from industry is a key problem in industrialised countries. 'Deadzones' can occur off the coast as a result of agricultural pesticides, fertilisers and livestock slurry - such as in the Gulf of Mexico.

Online facilities include:

Pollution hotspot map
A map of the cost of air pollution worldwide (0.00% - 0.01% in the UK compared to 1% and over in parts of Asia, the Middle East and South America)
Pollution quiz
Fight for clean air - Durban case studies

Data agreement:

All data & information used here that has been provided by the Environment Agency is covered by the Agency's standard data re-use licence. The licence conditions are viewable at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/other/help/196644/?version=1&lang=_e

All information in this section is to Environment Agency boundaries, unless otherwise stated.

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South West pollution incidents

Total Category 1 - 4 pollution incidents affecting water, land & air in the South West 2002 - 2005

South West Pollution Incidents 2002-2005 according to severity

Impact Levels

2002

2003

2004

2005

% change

South West Category 1 and 2 pollution incidents impacting on water in 2005

South West Category 3 pollution incidents impacting on water in 2005

Flytipping incidents in the South West, category 1 - 3 in 2005

Analysis of pollution incidents by source of pollution in 2005

2005 pollution Incidents by the source of the pollutant (category 1 - 4)

South West Pollution Incidents By Source, 2005 (Category 1-4)

South West Pollution Incidents by Source 2005 (Category 1& 2)

Sub-regional pollution incident breakdown

Total Pollution Incidents (Category 1-4) in 2005 according to County

Cornwall pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source

Number of IncidentS

Comparison to 2004

Comment

Devon pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source

Number of IncidentS

Comparison to 2004

Comment

North Wessex pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source

Number of IncidentS

Comparison to 2004

Comment

South Wessex pollution incidents in 2005

Impact/Source

Number of IncidentS

Comparison to 2004

Comment

National pollution incidents 2005

Total pollution incidents in the regions (substantiated, unsubstantiated and total) 2005

Substantiated pollution incidents by Environment Agency region in England and Wales, 2001 to 2005

Find out more about pollution on an international level

pollutant

Scale of the problem

Air

Water

Soil

Data agreement: