The Environment Agency is piloting a digital service to provide more ways for the public to report environmental problems.
The Report an environmental problem service is currently undergoing testing with members of the public with a focus on water pollution, and the agency is aiming to release it fully next year.
It will be available alongside the existing telephone hotline.
There are also plans to introduce a function in the digital service soon for reporting odours, and latter for incidents such as flooding and wildlife concerns.
The Environment Agency is contacting groups and individuals who spend time around rivers and water courses in certain locations to ask them to use the service, saying this will help it to make improvements before the full launch next year.
Series of improvements
Pete Connolly, deputy director of incident management, digital services, said: "This development is part of a series of digital improvements within the Environment Agency that will advance how we respond to incidents and modernise our services for the public.
“We're future proofing our capabilities to manage the growing demands on our services, particularly as the effects of climate change intensify.”
“For example, next year we will launch a new flood warning service following extensive work to replace the existing 20-year-old system. We’re also making increased use of artificial intelligence to enhance our wider incident management service.”
