Preventing and reporting water pollution

Pollution in any form can devastate the health and amenity of our waterways.

If you see any pollution, we encourage you to promptly report it.

This allows authorities to act quickly and helps to reduce the damage to the environment.

Prompt reporting also increases the chances of successful action against those responsible for the pollution.

Reporting water pollution depends on what type of pollution it is.

If the pollution appears to be an oil or chemical spill, you'll need to report that to the appropriate authority.

If the pollution appears to be coming from a vessel on the water, it should be reported to Transport for NSW by calling 13 12 36.

We ask that you record as many details as possible to help us with our investigation including:

• the vessel name
• vessel registration number
• the time and place of the incident
• the type of pollution you see.

If the pollution appears to be coming from a marina or land-based facilities, or from a vessel ‘on the slips’, you’ll need to contact either the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or the local council.

Most larger facilities require a licence from the EPA. You should check their public register of licenced premises.

If the facilities are listed on the EPA public register, you can report the incident on 13 15 55, providing as many relevant details as possible. This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If the facilities are not listed on the EPA public register, they’re the responsibility of the local council and you should report the incident to them.

If you're unsure of who your local council is, you can find out through find your local council - Office of Local Government NSW.

You can help prevent water pollution through the proper disposal of your garbage and by following the waste and sewage disposal requirements, along with the proper use and maintenance of your own vessel.

You can:

• Ensure that you have all necessary signage and documentation.
• Make sure your boat and its engines are in good working order . Regularly check seals, gaskets, hoses and connections for leaks and drips.
• Take care when filling your fuel tank to avoid spillage into the water. If you overfill your fuel tank, wipe the spill up with a rag. Do not hose the fuel into the water.
• Install a holding tank and dispose of its contents at waste receiving facilities at boat ramps and marinas. Find the closest available pump out facility to you.
• Take care where you anchor. Avoid seagrass beds as these are important fish habitats.
• Travel at speeds that avoid excessive wash. This may cause bank erosion, disturbance to sensitive river or seabed environments, or annoyance or danger to others.
• Obey all noise restrictions.

You can also help protect the biodiversity of our waterways by preventing the spread of exotic aquatic weeds, such as Caulerpa taxifolia.

The complete areas of responsibility are detailed in the table on this page, along with the best methods to contact each relevant authority.

Contingency plans are designed to ensure there's every possible arrangement to deal with oil and chemical spills, along with any any maritime incident that could potentially result in either of the two.

• NSW North Coast - Marine oil & chemical spill contingency plan
• NSW South Coast - Marine oil & chemical spill contingency plan
• NSW State Waters – Marine oil and chemical spill contingency plan
• Lord Howe Island - Marine Oil & chemical spill contingency plan
• NSW Emergency management plan

When cleaning your boat, especially while it’s in the water, there are several issues around pollution that you need to be aware of. For details, check out our fact sheet (PDF 270.62KB).

You are entitled to request copies of all notices and determinations under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POEO).