If bathing water was considered for classification for one year instead of across four, Aldwick would have been ‘excellent’ last year, Arun councillors were told.

The bathing area, which was rated ‘good’ in 2021, has since been deemed a no-go zone for swimmers, after receiving a ‘poor’ classification in 2022.

A report before the council’s environment committee on Thursday, March 19, said: “For 2025, if considered over one-year, it would have been rated ‘excellent’ which suggests improvements are being made.

"With the legacy of the 2022 season no longer being considered for the 2026 ratings, there is reason to believe that the work achieved over the last few years, and which continues, should lead to an improved rating in 2026."

Officers gave a number of reasons for the improvements including the multi-agency ‘yellow fish’ campaign designed to educate the public on the impact of waste entering highway drains, including the potential for toilet waste being deposited by motorhomes.

This year the council, working with Southern Water, are proposing to replace stencilled yellow fish signs with more permanent metal signs, which Southern Water has agreed to fund.

Damaged sewers and a foul water chamber were discovered and repaired and action has also been taken to ensure repairs were made by a business to prevent grey water being discharged onto the beach.

"Southern Water has approached the business with a funding offer to support a detailed survey and remedial works in a bid to prevent future risks,” the report said.

The report showed Bognor Regis East bathing water classification had dropped from ‘excellent’ in 2021 to ‘sufficient’ for 2024 and 2025.

Cllr Keir Greenway (Con, Bersted) said it was good news Aldwick was ‘excellent’ for 2025 and a shame they still had to tell people not to swim there for the summer season.

Cllr Christine Wiltshire (Lab, River) pointed out they needed to be aware of what was coming out of the overflows across the area all the time – not just at Aldwick.

"It is not just when it rains,” she said. “We have got to be vigilant.”

Chairman Amanda Worne (Lib Dem, Yapton) put forward a motion to ask Southern Water to fund a district bathing water monitoring officer, which gained a unanimous vote.

Cllr Simon McDougall (Lab, Pevensey) said he had received a ‘hefty bill’: “Anything they can contribute back to the community would be very welcome.”

Cllr David Huntley (Ind, Pagham) said the automated solar powered water quality signs at the beaches only work when the weather’s fine. “When it’s raining really hard and a lot of water is flowing out Pagham Harbour might be full of sewage but nobody knows because the signs aren’t working,” he said