What’s reported to be total dump (4)
I believe the answer is:
hole
'dump' is the definition.
(hole can mean a dump or horrible place)
'what's reported to be total' is the wordplay.
'what's reported' shows a homophone (sound like).
'to be total' becomes 'whole' (similar in meaning).
'whole' is a homophone of 'HOLE'.
(Other definitions for hole that I've seen before include "Predicament - golfer's target" , "See 9" , "depression" , "Aperture; cavity" , "mess" .)