Illegal dumping remains one of the greatest threats to river ecosystems in 2025. According to the European Environment Agency, 40% of European rivers are polluted by unauthorized sources. This practical guide will teach you how to effectively identify, document, and report these environmental crimes.
Warning Signs: How to Recognize Illegal Dumping
Direct Visual Indicators
- Sudden changes in water color:
- White foam (detergents)
- Oily iridescence (hydrocarbons)
- Reddish/yellowish hues (heavy metals)
- Unnatural foam: Persists for more than 30 minutes and smells like chemicals
- Dead or dying fish: Especially if they are of different species simultaneously
- Burned or discolored riparian vegetation: In specific spots along the shore
Suspicious Odors
- Rotten eggs: Hydrogen sulfide (wastewater)
- Industrial solvent: Benzene, toluene
- Ammonia: Fertilizers or cleaning products
Evidence on the Shore
- Hidden pipes: Among vegetation, with recent waste around them
- Abandoned drums: With or without hazard symbols Label
- Areas of bleached soil: Where chemicals have leaked
Basic Citizen Reporter Kit
Minimum Recommended Equipment
- Smartphone with GPS: To accurately geolocate the spill
- Multiparameter test strips: Measure pH, nitrates, and heavy metals (€15-30 in pharmacies)
- Gloves and mask: Basic personal protection
- Sterile bottle: To take water samples (important: do not touch the inside)
Specialized Apps
- RiverWatch (EU): Create automatic reports with location and photos
- Environmental Reporting (Spain): Connect directly with SEPRONA
- Global Water Watch: Compare historical satellite images
5-Step Action Protocol
1. Secure Documentation
- Photos and videos: Include landscape references for location
- GPS coordinates: Note the altitude and accuracy of the device
- Exact date and time: Crucial for cross-checking with permits Spill
2. Sampling (Optional but Useful)
- Surface water: 50 cm deep, avoid sediments
- Correct labeling: Date, time, coordinates, your initials
- Storage: Refrigerate without freezing, deliver within 24 hours to the laboratory
3. Identification of the Responsible Party
- Upstream tracking: Follow the trail of contamination
- Nearby facilities: Industrial warehouses, farms, residential areas
- Witnesses: Other river users (fishermen, hikers)
4. Formal Report
- Form 031 (Spain): Standard environmental report
- Priority channels:
- SEPRONA: 062 (Civil Guard)
- Regional Police: Catalonia, Basque Country, Navarre
- Civil Protection Services
- Legal deadlines: Maximum 48 hours from detection
5. Monitoring and Persistence
- File number: Always request it
- Check each 15 days: Transparency Law requires a response within 1 month
- Second instance: If there is no response, contact the environmental prosecutor’s office
Information Your Complaint Must Include
Mandatory Basic Information:
- Exact location (coordinates + description)
- Date and time of detection
- Type of contaminant observed
- Possible source identified
- Photographs/videos attached
Additional Information:
- Witnesses (optional contact)
- Reagent strip measurements
- Water samples (if taken)
- Observed damage to fauna/flora
Examples of Successful Complaints in 2025
Guadiana River Case (Badajoz)
- Detection: Persistent white foam
- Citizens: Local Fishermen’s Association
- Result: €85,000 fine for industrial warehouse for undeclared discharges
Llobregat River Case (Barcelona)
- Tool: RiverWatch app with 23 simultaneous reports
- Test: Independent analysis showed mercury 20x above the limit
- Result: Temporary closure of chemical plant
Legal Protection for Whistleblowers
Fundamental Rights
- Confidentiality: Your identity cannot be revealed without a court order
- Protection against retaliation: Law 26/2007 on Environmental Liability
- Free of charge: You pay no fees for reporting
Precautions
- No confrontations: Never directly confront alleged perpetrators
- Public access: Stay within public water domain areas
- Admissible evidence: Photos/videos from public roads are Legal
Alternatives When Authorities Fail to Act
Alternative Pathways
- Media: Some have environmental reporting sections
- Specialized NGOs: Ecologists in Action, SEO/BirdLife
- Environmental Prosecutor’s Office: Via criminal complaint
- International platforms: UNEP Live (United Nations)
Collective Action
- Signature collection: Change.org or similar platforms
- Peaceful gatherings: At symbolic points along the river
- Social media campaigns: With specific hashtags (#SaveTheRiversX)
Real Citizen Impact
- 2024: 35% of fines for spills were caused by citizen reports
- Effectiveness: Reports with photos are 80% more likely to result in a sanction
- Prevention: Each report deters future spills within a 5 km radius
“A clean river is not a luxury, it’s a right. And defending it is a responsibility of all” “everyone” — Javier Martínez, river biologist.
