Visitors to Sussex coastline urged not to go into water after sewage spill

The leak has now stopped but Adur and Worthing Councils say the waste is expected to remain in the coastal waters until 11am on Thursday 11 January. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Visitors to areas of the Sussex coastline are being urged not to go into the water after a sewage spill last night.

A leak from Southern Water's local outfall pipe spilled waste into the sea yesterday (Tuesday 9 January).

The leak has now stopped but Adur and Worthing Councils say the waste is expected to remain in the coastal waters until 11am on Thursday 11 January.

In a statement they said: "The pollution is believed to affect the whole of the Adur district coastline, including the River Adur, and potentially Worthing.

"We highly recommend that visitors to our coastline do not go into the water at this time and take care on the beach."

Southern Water said two pumps had failed at its Shoreham Wastewater Treatment Works because of an electrical fault.

This meant it was unable to release treated waste through its long sea outfall pipe so it instead released screened wastewater through its short sea outfall pipe, which is located around 500m offshore in the Shoreham Harbour area.

Cllr Vicki Wells, Worthing’s cabinet member for the environment, said: I would like to know what caused the electrical issues at the Shoreham wastewater treatment works and expect assurances that they are being addressed urgently.

"I expect wastewater infrastructure to be robust - our communities and environment shouldn’t suffer as a consequence of ailing equipment. It’s unacceptable for the area’s coastline to be polluted by releases of sewage because pumps have failed.”

Southern Water said teams worked through the night to install a temporary pump which is releasing flows further out to sea.

It added: "We also have four tankers transferring flows to a nearby treatment works.

"We are working with the Environment Agency and Adur District Council, and are carrying out investigations on environmental impact.

"We are very sorry that this is happening and are doing everything we can to fix the issue and minimise impact."

It added its action prevented homes and businesses from flooding.


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