Advice on how to report pollution of the Rife/other watercourses

Generally, the rule of thumb is that the EA are responsible for watercourses so use the bottom phone number to them, EXCEPT for the Pagham Rife AFTER the Pagham Waste Water Treatment Works in which case ring the Southern Water number below who will investigate and then inform the EA of their actions and whether they should become involved.

We have been given the go ahead by Southern Water to publicise a 24 hour emergency telephone number 

0330 303 0368 (Option 3) for dog walkers/residents/visitors who might notice human or domestic waste after it exits the Water Treatment Works area at Summer Lane. It should be noted that such waste could come from other sources upstream of the Works i.e. from the Chichester direction but at least the cause of the waste can be investigated. It is standard practice for the Environment Agency to become involved as they look after the Rife and Southern Water would normally inform them for their attendance. 

Please ring the emergency number and also send us a text or more importantly photo’s (07462 175329) so it can be separately recorded.  On a different note but as important, PAGAM have had reports of dog waste in and out of bags just left at various places on the Nature Reserve even though bins are available.  We all know the recent media attention to plastics within the animal world and its detrimental effect to wildlife particularly small plastic bags which are easily ingested, and would cause pain and suffering normally leading to the death of the animal or bird. If possible, please report to the RSPB warden so they can monitor what is going on.

0330 303 0368  (Option 3)

Please note that if the pollution appears to be of a vegetative composition, i.e. pollution from fields or irresponsible cutback, then this can also have a disastrous effect on the Rife further down into the harbour as it will change the chemical make up of the water, creating a harmful environment for water voles and other small mammals further down the food chain. If you have any doubts, ring the ENVIRONMENT AGENCY NATIONAL HOTLINE on ......

0800 807060

The following photo's clearly show how much damage could be caused if this matter is not removed (lack of light, oxygen deprival, chemical toxicity caused by rotting vegetation)