More than 800 water pollution incidents in Norfolk were not immediately responded to, new figures show.

There were 1,194 water pollution incidents between 2018 and 2023, just 801 of which were visited immediately by Environment Agency staff.

This means they were attended within two hours of a report coming in, or within four hours outside of the normal working day – a definition set by the organisation.

801 incidents in Norfolk were not visited immediately by Environment Agency staff801 incidents in Norfolk were not visited immediately by Environment Agency staff (Image: DEFRA)

Of those pollution incidents not visited immediately, 14 were category two incidents, which are classed as having a 'significant' impact. 

READ MORE: Where 'chemical cocktails' are poisoning Norfolk's rivers

The remainder were category three, meaning they were judged as having a 'minor or minimal' impact on the environment.

It is unclear whether these incidents were checked at a later date or not at all.

The Environment Agency said incidents could be handled remotely or instead through emergency services, adding some reports come through some time after an incident has taken place.

A spokesman said: "We assess and record every incident report we receive – between 70,000 and 100,000 a year. We respond to every incident and always attend those where there is a significant risk."

The highest number of pollution incidents were reported in Breckland (233) and South Norfolk (230), of which 142 and 173 respectively were not immediately responded to. 

Of 225 incidents in North Norfolk, 166 saw a slow response, while in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk it was 125 out of 221. 

READ MORE: Norfolk Broads village named as county's sewage hotspot

An oily sheen floating in the Gaywood River during pollution incidentAn oily sheen floating in the Gaywood River during pollution incident (Image: Gaywood River Revival)

Earlier this year the Environment Agency revealed that Belaugh was the location of the most sewage 'spills' in the entire county.

Wastewater flowed from an Anglian Water sewage treatment works into the River Bure for more than 2,000 hours - the equivalent of 84 days.

Another incident that was investigated by the Environment Agency saw oil and other pollutants flow into a rare Norfolk chalk stream for several days.

Officials launched an investigation attempting to identify the source of pollutants in the Gaywood River in the Bawsey area in west Norfolk.