A pump failure at a wastewater treatment works site in Eastbourne caused storm outflows to be discharged ‘closer to the beach than normal’, Southern Water has confirmed.

The water company’s “rivers and seas watch” map shows more than seven hours of wastewater release into the sea in Eastbourne that may have affected the quality of bathing water, as of 11am on Thursday, August 27.

There was also more than six hours of release into the sea in Pevensey Bay following heavy overnight rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday (August 26).

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “During heavy rain last night when storm overflows were taking place to protect homes from flooding, there was a brief pump failure at our Eastbourne wastewater treatment works.

Eastbourne wastewater treatment works, operated by Southern Water. Photo: Google Street View

placeholder image — Eastbourne wastewater treatment works, operated by Southern Water. Photo: Google Street View

“Following a Met Office Yellow Weather warning, 38mm of rain fell in Eastbourne in three hours. The failure led to some storm water discharging through outfalls closer to the beach than normal.

“After long periods of hot, dry weather, rainfall can run off hard, baked ground rather than being absorbed, particularly when heavy rain falls in a short period of time. This can lead to large volumes of surface water entering combined sewer systems and increase pressure on the network.

“The Environment Agency has been informed and we continue to liaise closely.

This latest incident comes just a week after sewage releases occurred along much of the Sussex coast, with Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay particularly affected.

Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde previously called Southern Water’s infrastructure as ‘clearly not fit for purpose’, while members of Eastbourne Sea Swimmers group described last week’s releases as ‘absolutely ridiculous’.