Reporting pollution
In most cases, concerns about pollution should be referred to the source or person causing the problem. The contact telephone numbers on this page should be used when an approach to the person causing the problem has not been or is unlikely to be successful.
Duty to notify
A person conducting an activity who becomes aware that the activity has caused or is likely to cause serious or material environmental harm from pollution must notify the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as soon as possible. Failure to notify may lead to a maximum penalty of $5,500 for an individual or $27,500 for a company.
ACT pollution hotline
To report any of the types of pollution for which the EPA has responsibility, contact the EPA by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Quick links: WATER | AIR | NOISE | WASTE & LITTER | CHEMICAL | OTHER
The detail of anyone who provides information regarding a pollution incident is treated as confidential. If the incident falls within the jurisdiction of another government agency, the details of the incident may be referred to the relevant agency for action.
Emergencies
If adequate resources are not available to contain material released in a pollution incident and it threatens public health, property or the environment, the ACT Fire Brigade should be contacted for emergency assistance - phone 000.
Further information
For further information, contact the EPA by calling Canberra Connect on 13 22 81
Contacts for water pollution
| Pollution type or source | Organisation responsible | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Stormwater system and waterways | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Sewer overflows | ActewAGL | 131 193 |
| Fish kills | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Algal blooms | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Industry causing water, air, land or noise pollution | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
Contacts for air pollution
| Pollution type or source | Organisation responsible | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Industry causing air, water, land or noise pollution | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Smoky motor vehicles (ACT registered) | Road User Services | 13 22 81 |
| Aircraft | Air Services Australia | 1800 802 584 |
| Domestic wood heater | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Backyard burning | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Major fires (industrial or bushland) | ACT Fire Brigade | 000 |
Contacts for noise pollution
| Pollution type or source | Organisation responsible | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Industry causing noise, air, water and land pollution | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Commercial premises – noise from ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Aircraft (including hot air balloons) | Air Services Australia | 1800 802 584 |
| Noisy vehicles (mechanical) | Road User Services | 13 22 81 |
| Traffic Noise | Roads ACT | 13 22 81 |
| Warming up of motor vehicles | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Construction and Land Development | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Motor sports and gun/rifle/pistol clubs | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Sporting facilities | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| People noise | Australian Federal Police | (02) 6256 7777 |
| Patron Noise from Licensed Venue | Office of Regulatory Services | (02) 6207 0562 |
| Amplified music from concert events | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Animal Noise | Domestic Animal Services | 13 22 81 |
| Noise from residential premises, power tools, loud music, air conditioners, pool pumps, etc. | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Building intruder or car alarms | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
Contacts for waste and litter pollution
| Pollution type or source | Organisation responsible | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Illegal dumping of solid and liquid wastes (including soil) | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Contaminated sites | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Abandoned vehicle | City Rangers | 13 22 81 |
| Littering from vehicles | City Rangers | 13 22 81 |
| Roadside litter | City Rangers | 13 22 81 |
| Illegal dumping on unleased territory land | City Rangers | 13 22 81 |
| Illegal dumping in nature reserves | Parks and Conservation Service | 13 22 81 |
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Contacts for chemical pollution
|
Pollution type or source |
Organisation responsible | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Transport of dangerous goods | Worksafe ACT | 13 22 81 |
| Chemical spills | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Contaminated sites | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| Pesticides, herbicides | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
Contacts for other environmental concerns
| Pollution type or source | Organisation responsible | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Damaging plants or animals in nature reserves | Parks and Conservation Service | 13 22 81 |
| Tree damaging activity (urban trees) | Tree Protection | 13 22 81 |
| Disturbance of Aboriginal sites | Heritage | 13 22 81 |
| Disturbance of Heritage places or objects | Heritage | 13 22 81 |
| Injured or orphaned native wildlife |
Parks and Conservation Service RSPCA |
13 22 81 (24 hours) (02) 6287 8113 |
| Taking of firewood from nature reserve | Parks and Conservation Service | 13 22 81 |
| Illegal fishing | EPA | 13 22 81 (24 hours) |
| New South Wales pollution issues | Office of Environment and Heritage | 131 555 |
