# I have noticed pollution or destruction of nature

If you see oil or dead fish in a stream, burning or dumped waste, a destroyed hedge, cleared forest or killed wildlife, you can act. If something is still happening, call the police (117) or the fire brigade (118). Anyone may report a criminal offence and, on request, find out how the proceedings turn out. But you cannot force the authorities to act unless you are yourself especially affected. What is effective is a prompt report, a supervisory complaint, an application to inspect environmental information, and an early tip-off to an environmental organisation.

This guide covers: What you can do if you notice pollution of water or soil, illegally dumped or burned waste, a destroyed hedge, a damaged biotope, forest clearing, or killed or disturbed wildlife: the emergency number, safely recording evidence, a criminal complaint, information about the outcome, a supervisory complaint, inspecting environmental information, tipping off environmental organisations, and the limits of these routes.

Not covered: Disputes between neighbours such as noise, barbecue smoke, heat pumps or hedges on the boundary, objecting to a specific construction project, claims for damages, and climate actions. Cantonal time limits and responsibilities are mentioned only in general terms.

## Your answers

- What have you noticed? (Polluted water: oil, foam, discolouration or dead fish / Waste being dumped, thrown away or burned / Destroyed nature: hedge, riverbank, wetland, biotope or forest / Wildlife being killed, caught or disturbed / Something else / I don't know)
- Is it happening right now, or is the pollution still spreading? (Yes, it's happening now / No, it's over / I don't know)
- Who do you think is behind it? (A private person or a company / An authority, a municipality or a public undertaking / I don't know)
- Are you affected yourself, for example your property, your well, your animals or your health? (Yes / No, my concern is the environment / I don't know)

## Watch out

If the oil or liquid comes from your own tank, your heating system, or a facility for which you are responsible, you have a duty of your own: anyone who discovers a loss of a water-polluting liquid must report it immediately to the water protection police. So call 117 or 118. You must also do everything reasonable yourself to stop the liquid reaching a body of water or the groundwater, for example sealing a leak or covering a drain, if this can be done safely. Anyone who, as the holder, fails to keep the necessary protective devices in order and thereby pollutes water can be punished.

*Applies if: What have you noticed? → Polluted water: oil, foam, discolouration or dead fish / I don't know*

Sources: [GSchG · Art. 22](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_22), [GSchG · Art. 70](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_70)

Important to know: anyone who is simply concerned about the environment cannot force an authority to intervene. Filing a report or demanding intervention does not make you a party. An action or appeal in the interest of the general public, often called a popular appeal, is not permitted. The Federal Supreme Court has decided this even for people strongly committed to nature conservation. Concerns of the general public belong in politics. The routes open to you are the criminal complaint, the supervisory complaint, the application to inspect information, the objection during a public deposit, and the tip-off to an environmental organisation.

Sources: [BGE 139 II 279, E. 2.3](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_139_II_279#e-2-3), [BGE 146 I 145, E. 5.5](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_146_I_145#e-5-5), [BGer 2C_532/2025 vom 21. Juli 2026, E. 4.2](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bger_2C_532_2025-D20260721#e-4-2)

If the interference is based on a permit, for example for a construction site, a clearing or a larger facility, you can hardly stop it after the event. Objections generally have to be raised during the public deposit of the application. How long this time limit lasts, where applications are published, and who may object, is a matter for your canton. Nationwide environmental and nature conservation organisations have a special right of appeal in certain proceedings, for example for large facilities requiring an environmental impact assessment. Which organisations these are is set out in the annex to the ordinance on the designation of environmental organisations entitled to appeal (VBO). These organisations lose their right of appeal, however, if they do not take part in the objection procedure. So inform such an organisation or its cantonal section early, ideally as soon as an application is on deposit. Nature and heritage conservation organisations have no right of appeal against residential buildings with less than 400 m² of floor area in the building zone. Exceptions apply, for example, in townscapes of national importance and in biotopes.

Sources: [USG · Art. 55](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_55), [USG · Art. 55b](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_55b), [NHG · Art. 12](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_12), [NHG · Art. 12c](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_12c), [VBO · Art. 1](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1990/1086_1086_1086/de#art_1)

The law sets no time limit for a criminal complaint or for a supervisory complaint. Do not wait even so. Traces in water or soil disappear quickly, and the sooner the authorities take samples, the more likely it is to be established where pollution came from. It is different with permits: objections are only possible during the deposit period set by your canton. An environmental organisation, too, can no longer appeal later if it did not take part in the objection.

Sources: [StPO · Art. 301](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/267/de#art_301), [VwVG · Art. 71](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1969/737_757_755/de#art_71), [USG · Art. 55b](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_55b)

## What to do

**1.** Do not put yourself in danger. Do not touch unknown liquids and do not breathe in smoke. Do not enter private, cordoned-off land or a construction site. Do not confront anyone. From a safe distance, record what you see: the date and time, the exact location (address, field name or coordinates from your phone), photos or a short video, colour and smell, the number plates of any vehicles involved, and the names of any witnesses. Write down your observations as soon as possible. Notes like this later help the police and the environmental agency clarify the case.

**2.** If your observation does not fit any of these categories, report it anyway. Contact the police or your canton's environmental agency. The authority checks whether a law has been broken and who is responsible. Disputes between neighbours, for example over noise, barbecue smoke or a hedge on the boundary, do not belong here. There is a separate area for that.

*Applies if: What have you noticed? → Something else*

## The law

You may report any criminal offence, even if you yourself have suffered no harm. The law gives this right to every person. Contact a police station or the public prosecutor's office. You can make the report orally or submit it in writing. If you make it orally, you can request confirmation. You do not have to provide evidence. It is enough to describe what you observed. Whether an offence really has been committed is for the authorities to establish. Making a report does not make you a party to the proceedings. You do not get access to the file and cannot challenge a decision, unless you yourself have been harmed by the act.

Sources: [StPO · Art. 301](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/267/de#art_301)

You have a right to find out what became of your report. The police or the public prosecutor's office will tell you, on request, whether criminal proceedings were opened and how they are concluded. You only get this information, though, if you ask for it. It is best to ask for this already when making the report, and note down a case number or the name of the responsible office. You will not learn details of the proceedings or of the accused persons this way.

Sources: [StPO · Art. 301](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/267/de#art_301)

Substances that can pollute water may not enter a stream, a lake or the groundwater, whether directly or indirectly. It is also forbidden to let them seep away. Outside a body of water, they may not be deposited or applied if this creates a concrete risk of pollution. This covers things such as oil, chemicals, liquid manure or concrete wash water from a construction site. Anyone who does this intentionally can be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a monetary penalty. Anyone who acts carelessly is also liable to prosecution. It is also an offence to channel a stream or put it in pipes without a permit. Other breaches of the Waters Protection Act are punished with a fine.

*Applies if: What have you noticed? → Polluted water: oil, foam, discolouration or dead fish / I don't know*

Sources: [GSchG · Art. 6](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_6), [GSchG · Art. 70](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_70), [GSchG · Art. 71](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_71)

Waste may only be burned in facilities designated for that purpose, not in the open and not in the garden. The only exception is burning natural forest, field and garden waste, provided this does not produce excessive smoke or smell. Anyone who deposits waste outside a licensed landfill, or burns it unlawfully, is punished with a fine of up to 20 000 francs. Anyone who operates a landfill without a permit, or wrongly passes on or accepts special waste, that is, particularly hazardous waste, commits a misdemeanour. This carries imprisonment of up to three years or a monetary penalty, and up to five years in the case of serious danger to people or the environment. Since 1 August 2026, a nationwide fine against littering has also applied: anyone who throws away or leaves waste, even in small amounts, can be fined up to 300 francs.

*Applies if: What have you noticed? → Waste being dumped, thrown away or burned / I don't know*

Sources: [USG · Art. 30c](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_30c), [USG · Art. 31b](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_31b), [USG · Art. 60](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_60), [USG · Art. 61](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_61)

The law gives special protection to riverbanks, reed beds and moors, rare forest communities, hedges, copses and dry grassland. Anyone who intentionally and without authorisation destroys or seriously damages a protected biotope, that is, a protected habitat for animals and plants, can be punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a monetary penalty. The same applies to anyone who clears or fills in riverbank vegetation. Negligence is punished with a fine. In principle, forest may not be cleared. Clearing requires an exceptional permit for important reasons. Financial interests are not enough. Anyone who clears without authorisation can be punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a monetary penalty. Anyone who fells trees in the forest without authorisation, or drives a car on forest roads, is punished with a fine. Whether an area is protected and whether a permit exists can be clarified by the cantonal agency for nature or forest protection.

*Applies if: What have you noticed? → Destroyed nature: hedge, riverbank, wetland, biotope or forest / I don't know*

Sources: [NHG · Art. 18](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_18), [NHG · Art. 24](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_24), [NHG · Art. 24a](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_24a), [WaG · Art. 5](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/2521_2521_2521/de#art_5), [WaG · Art. 42](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/2521_2521_2521/de#art_42), [WaG · Art. 43](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/2521_2521_2521/de#art_43)

The Hunting Act covers many wild birds and mammals. All these animals that do not belong to a huntable species are protected. The cantons must also protect wild mammals and birds from disturbance. Anyone who intentionally and without authorisation hunts, kills or catches protected animals, robs nests or disturbs brooding birds can be punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a monetary penalty. Fines are imposed on, among others, anyone who lets dogs hunt wildlife, disregards protective measures against disturbance, removes hedges, or burns embankments or pastures. Whether authorisation existed in a particular case, for example a permit to shoot an animal, is known to the cantonal hunting authority or the wildlife wardens.

*Applies if: What have you noticed? → Wildlife being killed, caught or disturbed / I don't know*

Sources: [JSG · Art. 7](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1988/506_506_506/de#art_7), [JSG · Art. 17](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1988/506_506_506/de#art_17), [JSG · Art. 18](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1988/506_506_506/de#art_18)

The authorities must act on their own initiative. Every canton has an agency for water protection, a water protection police force, and an emergency service for accidents. Facilities that breach environmental regulations must be remediated. In urgent cases, the authority orders measures immediately and can, if necessary, shut down a facility. Anyone who damages a habitat worth protecting must provide for its protection, restoration or appropriate replacement. Your report can trigger these duties. It does not, however, give you your own entitlement to have the authority intervene.

Sources: [GSchG · Art. 49](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_49), [USG · Art. 16](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_16), [NHG · Art. 18](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_18)

If the responsible authority does nothing, or if an authority or a public undertaking causes the pollution itself, you can turn to the superior supervisory authority. For federal authorities, federal law governs this supervisory complaint: anyone may, at any time, report facts requiring intervention against an authority in the public interest. You do not, however, have the rights of a party. You have no entitlement to have the supervisory authority intervene, and cannot appeal against its approach. For cantonal and communal authorities, the canton governs the supervisory complaint. Check your canton's website. You can report criminal offences by employees of an authority or a public undertaking to the police like any other offence.

Sources: [VwVG · Art. 71](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1969/737_757_755/de#art_71), [BGE 139 II 279, E. 2.3](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_139_II_279#e-2-3), [StPO · Art. 301](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/267/de#art_301)

You have the right to inspect environmental information in official documents and to obtain information about its content, for example about inspections, measurements or permits. For federal authorities, the Federal Act on Freedom of Information applies. For cantonal authorities, cantonal law applies. Where a canton has no rules yet, the federal rules apply by analogy. Confidentiality interests, for example business secrets, remain protected. The environmental agencies also advise private individuals. Ask there whether the incident is known, whether a permit exists, and what is being done. This is often the fastest way to clarify whether something is permitted.

Sources: [USG · Art. 10g](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_10g), [USG · Art. 10e](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_10e)

If your own rights are affected, you have more options. In criminal proceedings, anyone directly harmed by the act, for example because their property was damaged, can take part as a private claimant. Many environmental offences, however, protect only the general public. Anyone only indirectly affected does not then count as harmed. The Federal Supreme Court has decided this, for example, for the owner of a damaged moor, so far as the nature conservation offences were concerned. Against a federal authority, you can demand that it stop unlawful conduct, remove its consequences, or have its unlawfulness established. This requires that the conduct interferes with your own legal position. The authority then decides by way of a ruling, which you can challenge. For cantonal authorities, this follows cantonal law. Get advice if you have suffered harm to your property, your well, your animals or your health.

*Applies if: Are you affected yourself, for example your property, your well, your animals or your health? → Yes / I don't know*

Sources: [StPO · Art. 301](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/267/de#art_301), [BGer 1B_96/2018 vom 24. Mai 2018, E. 2.1](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bger_1B_96_2018#e-2-1), [BGer 1B_96/2018 vom 24. Mai 2018, E. 2.2](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bger_1B_96_2018#e-2-2), [VwVG · Art. 25a](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1969/737_757_755/de#art_25a), [BGE 140 II 315, E. 4.3](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_140_II_315#e-4-3)

## Advice

If the pollution is still happening, call immediately. This applies, for example, if oil, foam or a cloudy liquid is flowing into a stream, if dead fish are floating, or if waste is burning. You can reach the police on 117 and the fire brigade on 118. For oil and chemical incidents, the fire brigade is usually the right choice. Some cantons, for example Geneva, name 118 first for water pollution. If in doubt, dial either number: the police and fire brigade will call in the specialists from the cantonal water protection service. Say exactly where it is happening, what you see, and since when. Give your phone number for follow-up questions. Do not wait until the next day. Traces in water often disappear again within a few hours.

*Applies if: Is it happening right now, or is the pollution still spreading? → Yes, it's happening now / I don't know*

Get personal advice if you yourself have suffered harm, for example to your property, your well, your animals or your health, and want to claim damages. This also applies if you want to take part in criminal proceedings as a private claimant, if you want to act against a permit, or if you yourself are accused of having caused pollution. A lawyer experienced in environmental or administrative law can assess your chances and costs.

## Help

Free points of contact: in emergencies, the police (117) or the fire brigade (118). Otherwise your canton's environmental agency, often called the office for the environment or the office for water and waste, with its water protection emergency service. For nature, forest and wildlife, the cantonal agencies for nature conservation, forestry, and hunting and fishing, including the wildlife wardens. Your municipality knows who is locally responsible, and knows the construction projects in the municipality. The environmental and nature conservation organisations entitled to appeal, and their cantonal sections, take tip-offs.

## Sources

- [StPO · Art. 301](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/267/de#art_301)
- [GSchG · Art. 6](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_6)
- [GSchG · Art. 22](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_22)
- [GSchG · Art. 49](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_49)
- [GSchG · Art. 70](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_70)
- [GSchG · Art. 71](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/1860_1860_1860/de#art_71)
- [USG · Art. 10e](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_10e)
- [USG · Art. 10g](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_10g)
- [USG · Art. 16](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_16)
- [USG · Art. 30c](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_30c)
- [USG · Art. 31b](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_31b)
- [USG · Art. 55](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_55)
- [USG · Art. 55b](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_55b)
- [USG · Art. 60](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_60)
- [USG · Art. 61](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1984/1122_1122_1122/de#art_61)
- [NHG · Art. 12](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_12)
- [NHG · Art. 12c](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_12c)
- [NHG · Art. 18](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_18)
- [NHG · Art. 24](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_24)
- [NHG · Art. 24a](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1966/1637_1694_1679/de#art_24a)
- [WaG · Art. 5](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/2521_2521_2521/de#art_5)
- [WaG · Art. 42](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/2521_2521_2521/de#art_42)
- [WaG · Art. 43](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1992/2521_2521_2521/de#art_43)
- [JSG · Art. 7](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1988/506_506_506/de#art_7)
- [JSG · Art. 17](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1988/506_506_506/de#art_17)
- [JSG · Art. 18](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1988/506_506_506/de#art_18)
- [VwVG · Art. 25a](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1969/737_757_755/de#art_25a)
- [VwVG · Art. 71](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1969/737_757_755/de#art_71)
- [VBO · Art. 1](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1990/1086_1086_1086/de#art_1)
- [BGE 139 II 279, E. 2.3](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_139_II_279#e-2-3)
- [BGE 146 I 145, E. 5.5](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_146_I_145#e-5-5)
- [BGE 140 II 315, E. 4.3](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bge_BGE_140_II_315#e-4-3)
- [BGer 2C_532/2025 vom 21. Juli 2026, E. 4.2](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bger_2C_532_2025-D20260721#e-4-2)
- [BGer 1B_96/2018 vom 24. Mai 2018, E. 2.1](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bger_1B_96_2018#e-2-1)
- [BGer 1B_96/2018 vom 24. Mai 2018, E. 2.2](https://mcp.opencaselaw.ch/entscheid/bger_1B_96_2018#e-2-2)

## Official information

- [FOEN: right of appeal of environmental organisations](https://www.bafu.admin.ch/de/verbandsbeschwerderecht)
- [Canton of Zurich: water protection emergency service](https://www.zh.ch/de/umwelt-tiere/wasser-gewaesser/gewaesserschutz/gewaesserschutz-pikettdienst.html)
- [Canton of Aargau: emergency service for environmental incidents](https://www.ag.ch/de/verwaltung/bvu/umwelt-natur-landschaft/umwelt/schadendienst)

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Statute texts checked on 29 September 2026. General legal information. It does not replace individual advice.

https://swisslaw.io/en/environment/report-pollution/ · swisslaw.io, environment.report-pollution, 2026-09-29 · CC BY 4.0