Sewage alerts at 7 beaches including Kent’s most polluted as more …
Sewage alerts have been issued for seven beaches along the Kent[1] coast today (October 28), including at the county’s most polluted bathing site, following spells of heavy rain. They come as an extended yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office[2] which covers the entirety of Kent.
Residents have been warned that flooding is likely for some homes and business, particularly along the county’s coast and rivers, with one flood alert currently in place[3]. Now, Surfers Against Sewage[4] has recorded combined sewage overflows (CSOs) at numerous popular beaches along our coast, including at Folkestone[5], Hythe[6] and Herne Bay[7].
This also includes Tankerton in Whitstable[8], which at the end of 2022 was found to have seen more overflows than any other beach in the county that year.[9] In total, over 170 ‘events’ were reported at this bathing site, which amounted to 529 hours of wastewater pumped into the sea.
CSOs take place during spells of high rain, as we are seeing this weekend, in an effort to reduce this risk of possible flood damage, but can have a considerable impact on the bathing water quality at the release sites. They comprise both sewage and rain water, with Southern Water having said that the releases are ‘heavily diluted’ consisting of 95 per cent water.
These releases have become a large point of contention within coastal communities, particular within Whitstable and Tankerton. In September, SOS Whitstable organised a large protest against the CSOs[12], demanding that the releases end and that harshers penalties be given to those responsible.
In recent years numerous demonstrations have been held along the Kent coast in protest of the releases. (Image: IYA)
SOS Whitstable said: “Despite our best efforts to hold Southern Water and the UK Government to account, the sewage pollution crisis is getting worse and not better. Water management remains an industry of profit, rather than a vital public service. We've had enough.”
Dr Nick Mills, head of Southern Water’s clean rivers and seas task force, said: “We understand the concerns being raised in Whitstable about water quality, and share our communities’ passion for protecting and enhancing the health of our rivers and seas. This is why we’re investing significant money and resources, optimising our assets and using innovative technology and natural solutions to divert or slow the flow of water entering our sewers – and significantly reduce the use of storm overflows.”
Current forecasts for the south east predict that heavy downpours will persist throughout the weekend, with a chance that they may even turn thundery in some areas, meaning further releases are likely. The Met Office south east forecast goes on to state: “Frequent showers continuing Monday and Tuesday, especially coastal areas. These heavy, and thundery at times. Some sunny intervals possible.”
Kent sewage alerts - Saturday (October 28)
Sewage releases have been recorded at a number of popular Kent beaches following the heavy rainfall this weekend (Image: Surfers Against Sewage)
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Folkestone
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Herne Bay Central
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Hythe
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Littlestone
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Sandgate
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St Mary’s Bay
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Tankerton
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References
- ^ Kent (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ extended yellow weather warning for rain has been issued by the Met Office (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ with one flood alert currently in place (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Surfers Against Sewage (www.sas.org.uk)
- ^ Folkestone (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Hythe (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Herne Bay (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Whitstable (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ seen more overflows than any other beach in the county that year. (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ Thousands of homes planned for Green Belt land in Sevenoaks (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ School to remain closed for 'immediate future' after heartbreaking fire (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ SOS Whitstable organised a large protest against the CSOs (www.kentlive.news)
- ^ HERE. (data.reachplc.com)