How to report sewage pollution in Cornwall
Spotting and reporting pollution quickly helps protect other water users and builds the evidence that drives change. Here's how.
1. Know what to look for
Tell-tale signs of sewage pollution include a sewage smell, grey or brown discoloured water, scum or foam, toilet debris (wet wipes, sanitary items, cotton buds), and dead fish.
2. Record the details
- Where: the beach and the spot — a dropped map pin is ideal.
- When: the date and time you saw it.
- What: what you saw and smelled.
- Photos: take a few — they carry a timestamp and are powerful evidence.
3. Report it to the authorities
- Environment Agency incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60 (24/7), or report online.
- South West Water: report via their customer contact channels.
4. Log it on Glanmor
Add your sighting (with a photo) to put it on the public map. You can keep it private or make it public — no account needed. This helps others see what's happening and adds to the record.
How do I report sewage pollution in Cornwall?
Record the location, time and what you saw with photos, then tell the EA (0800 80 70 60) and South West Water, and log it on Glanmor.
What counts as sewage pollution?
Sewage smell, discoloured water, scum/foam, toilet debris like wet wipes, and dead fish.