Southern Water confirms wastewater spill off Eastbourne coast
‘Partially treated’ wastewater was released into the sea at Eastbourne on Wednesday (July 1), Southern Water confirmed.
A Southern Water spokesperson said: "Due to a fault at our Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works yesterday morning, a 21 minute release of partially treated discharge occurred via a long sea outfall, more than 3km offshore.
"Our teams responded immediately and notified the Environment Agency.
"The issue that caused the spill has now been resolved, and changes have already been made to site operations, with longer-term measures being assessed to help prevent a recurrence."
The water company said there was ‘no impact’ on Eastbourne’s bathing waters, which are currently rated ‘good’.
The Southern Water spokesperson added: “Bathing waters extend approximately 200m out from the shoreline. However, this brief partially treated discharge occurred at the outfall, more than 3km further out to sea.
"According to all the evidence we have available, there was no impact on designated bathing waters.”