Citizen Science: Eastbourne seawater quality tests

Eastbourne is one of five initial areas in the Citizen Science project, along with Brighton and Hove, Hastings, Canterbury, and the Isle of Wight.

The Eastbourne Sea Swimmers group received E. coli (Escherichia coli) testing equipment in December 2023.

"I've tested pretty much every week since January," Julie said, adding that she averages "twice a week."

Tests are done at least three meters from the shore or usually further out and one meter deep "to avoid surface inaccuracies."

So far, Julie reports that E. coli levels where she tests in the sea off Cambridge Road have been "all fine."

"I have tested the next day after a CSO (Combined Storm Overflow) release and heavy rain," she explained, conditions that increase E. coli risks.

"There have been small rises in E. coli but still within safe levels," she added.

The Environment Agency (EA) rates anything below "sufficient" (≤500 cfu/100ml) as "poor."

Julie remarked, "It's still not good that it's coming out because that's the environment it's going to be impacting." Her comment stresses the broader environmental concern.

CSO releases mainly occur when heavy rain overburdens waste treatment facilities, causing discharge into seas and rivers.

Julie's closest test to a discharge was estimated around seven hours later, though she said, "I can't be sure" because the apps can take "hours or sometimes days" to register spills.

Currently, the testing devices only detect E. coli, but plans may include testing for Intestinal Enterococci.

The EA rated Eastbourne's sea quality as "good" in 2023, following a "sufficient" rating in 2022.

Julie remains hopeful: "We all need to work together. We all know that it needs to stop. But they can't just suddenly stop releasing because the infrastructure is not made for that."

Southern Water says on its site that it can't stop storm overflows because doing so would cause backflow and "isn't feasible."

They cite a 2022 government press release predicting £600 billion in costs for separating the combined system and £240 billion for storage tanks.

Their focus remains on "Controlling the source of the excess water," "Optimising existing infrastructure," and fostering "Partnerships."

The most recent targets for all water companies outlined in the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan include improving "all storm overflows discharging near every designated bathing water" and reducing spills at high-priority nature sites by 75% by 2035.

Southern Water's 'interactive map' currently shows no planned upgrades for Eastbourne's overflow pipes, as they are "already achieving the Government's target."

Concerns about sewage in Eastbourne's seas were raised at a recent Surfers Against Sewage event attended by Eastbourne Sea Swimmers, Plastic Free Eastbourne, councillors, and MP Josh Babarinde, who called for banning polluting executives bonuses and a sewage tax.

Apps monitoring river and sea discharges:

Southern Water's Beachbuoy

Rivers Trust

Safer Seas and Rivers Service