ARCHIVE: Key Facts about: Inland Water Quality and Use

Serious pollution incident sources: 2002 to 2008

England and Wales

Category 1 and 2 pollution incidents
Incident Source 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Other 618 496 461 356 388 322 271
Transport 53 43 55 27 24 19 18
Domestic and residential 75 71 44 45 41 33 31
Other industry 149 131 146 115 107 118 74
Agriculture 180 131 145 130 85 72 113
Waste management facilities 212 161 204 151 124 159 146
Sewage and water industry 181 217 144 166 141 104 70
Total 1,468 1,250 1,199 990 910 827 723

In 2008 waste management facilities were responsible for almost two thirds of all the serious (category 1 and 2) air pollution incidents and for 28 per cent of serious land pollution incidents. Overall, the waste sector was responsible of 20 per cent of all serious pollution incidents. The most common waste materials responsible for such incidents were; asbestos, vehicle parts and household rubbish.

Agriculture caused 16 per cent of all serious pollution incidents, with the sewage and water industry causing a further 10 per cent. Other industries also caused 10 per cent of all serious pollution incidents

For many pollution incidents the source cannot be identified.

Further Information:
Source:
Environment Agency
Key Facts:
Serious pollution incidents affecting water, air and land
Data Tables:

Download Chart Data: Microsoft Excel

Internet Links:
For national and local information see:
England and Wales: Environment Agency - Pollution Incidents
Scotland: Scottish Environment Protection Agency - Water Pollution Incidents
Northern Ireland: Environment and Heritage Service - Water Pollution

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Page last modified: 14 January 2010
Page published: 15 February 2006