Needles and plastic wash up on Hastings beach after sewage release

Southern Water has described the sight of needles and plastic washing up on Hastings beach as 'disappointing', as the company urged people to correctly dispose of non-flushable items..
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On Friday (December 4) a large amount of waste – including used needles, tampon applicators, cotton buds, and piles of fat – washed up on the beach close to Hastings Pier and was spotted during low tide.

This was caused by a sewage storm release which Southern Water said was made in order to protect many homes and businesses from internal flooding following the heavy rainfall seen in the Hastings area on Thursday (December 3) and Friday (December 4).

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The water company said the sewage storm release 'underscores' the risk of flushing 'non-flushable waste'. These items, including plastic waste, can get caught in sewers and drains which cause blockages and can lead to internal flooding of businesses and homes.

Picture: Alex FloodPicture: Alex Flood
Picture: Alex Flood

Southern Water said these items, combined with incorrectly-disposed-of fat oil and grease, create fatbergs which also block sewers and can cause internal flooding.

A storm release – which is permitted by the Environment Agency – was made on Friday in order to prevent a blockage, which in turn saw sewage water and non-flushable waste entering the sea, Southern Water confirmed. The company said storm releases only happen when there is 'no other option'.

This waste then washed up in Hastings on Friday where it was spotted by sea swimmers and the Hastings Beach Clean group.

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A spokesman for Southern Water said: “These are very disappointing pictures and demonstrate the importance of correct disposal of non-flushable waste.

Picture: Alex FloodPicture: Alex Flood
Picture: Alex Flood

“On the 3 and 4 December the Hastings area experienced extremely heavy rainfall and a storm release was made in order to protect many homes and businesses from the misery of internal flooding. The release of heavily diluted storm water is permitted by the Environment Agency and is exactly as the system is designed – to protect property during times of storm.

“Sewers in Hastings are historical and therefore combined with the surface water drains, and while a usual storm water release would see very heavily diluted wastewater sent out to sea to protect property, these picture are a stark reminder of the importance of only flushing the permitted three ‘Ps’ (pee, poo and paper) down toilets and drains. These pictures clearly show the plastic debris and fat from cooking which have either entered the surface drains via toilets, household drains or surface water drains in the street.”

Southern Water said, over the last 12 months, it has been looking to prevent misconnections in Hastings, where homes and businesses are incorrectly plumbed into the surface water sewer. A spokesman said 'a good number' have been identified and rectified.

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In October, the company said it found 11 in one week in one road in Hastings. A spokesman said that meant 11 lots of washing machines, showers and sinks are 'now no longer going out into the surface water system and entering the water course every time they are used'.

Picture: Alex FloodPicture: Alex Flood
Picture: Alex Flood

The spokesman added: "We do take bathing water quality seriously and do all we can to protect it. Please be mindful that storm releases only happen when there is no other option – drainage systems are in place and designed specifically to prevent flooding and when a storm release happens it’s for this reason alone."