Protesters call for end to sewage dumping in sea
Campaigners brought costumers, banners – and in some cases babies – in protest against sewage discharges in the Adur district.
Environmental campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has called for an ‘immediate end’ to sewage dumping at a popular Southwick swimming spot. The group accused Southern Water of dumping untreated wastewaterformorethan300hourssince Christmas.
Bathers, surfers in costumes and wetsuits met for a demonstration on January 13 at the outfalljusteastofthekingstonbeach car park.
The SAS said the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) at The Green,southwick‘dischargesinto the Adur estuary’ – near to the popularkingstonbeach,whichis usedbyswimmersallyearround, ‘especially in the rougher winter months’.
A joint statement by SAS representatives Andrew Coleman, Jesse Lambert-harden and Stu Davies read: “Since Christmas, Southern Water’s own data shows that the outfall near Kingstonbeachhasbeenoperatingfor over 300 hours.
“Thisisonly100mfromapopular swimming spot at Kingston Beachwhichisusedbyswimmers and canoeists all year round as it is sheltered from winter waves.
"We estimate that enough untreated sewage to fill nearly six Olympic swimming pools has beendischargedsincechristmas and it is putting people’s health at risk.
"Yettherehavebeennowarnings posted by Adur District Council, Southern Water or the Environment Agency.”
Southern Water spokesperson said: “The outfall at the green isintotheinnerharbourandprotectshomesandbusinessesfrom flooding,butweagreethattheuse of such outfalls must be reduced.
"This is a working harbour and there are many influences on the quality of water beyond Southern Water’s control.
"The harbour is not a designated bathing water.
“The designated bathing waters on the outside of the harbour at both Shoreham beach and Southwick, are both rated excellent by Defra based on testing results by the Environment Agency.”
Thesassaidthecsoatshoreham Wastewater Treatment Plantalsooperatedformorethan tenhourslastweek,adding:“this also appears to be a ‘dry spill’ as it hasn’t rained for days.”
Adurdistrictcouncilsaiditis ‘committed to achieving cleaner coastalwaters’acrossthedistrict forresidentsandvisitorsthat‘enjoy spending time in and by the sea’.