Pollution Incidents
A total of 3,823 pollution incidents affecting air, land and water were reported in the South West during 2006. This was the highest number of incidents recorded in England and Wales, accounting for 16% of the national total of 22,034.
Of these 3,823 pollution incidents
- 9% (332) came from agricultural sources
- 9% (352) came from domestic & residential sources
- 8% (322) came from industrial sources
- 17% (643) came from the sewage & water industry
- 5% (181) came from transport
- 7% (272) came from waste management facilities
- 45% (1,721) came from other sources
Agriculture was the source of 332 incidents in the South West during 2006, significantly higher than any other region and almost 29% of the national total for this source. The region also had the highest number of incidents caused by domestic and residental premises with 352 incidents or 23% of the national total; as well as the highest number of incidents caused by transport with 181 incidents or 22% of the national total.
A total of 1,721 incidents in the South West did not come from an identifiable source in 2006, which was also the highest recorded nationally.
More information about pollution incidents is available from the South West Observatory Environment website. Water quality, bathing water quality and diffuse pollution are also indicators used to monitor progress of the Regional Environment Strategy.