Sewage emptied into water at 13 Sussex beaches (swimmers should avoid)

The heavy rain over the last few days has been linked to sewage being emptied at 13 beach locations over the last 48 hours.

Martyn Craddock posted the video of the sea in Seaford to social media this afternoon.

According to data gathered by environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), there has been storm sewage discharge into the waters at beaches in Sussex, Cornwall, Devon, Essex, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland and Cumbria.

A spokeswoman for SAS told PA that other pollution warnings in place may not be linked to heavy rain, and those visiting the coast are advised to check its interactive map on their website before they swim.

These locations have all seen sewage emptied into the water over the last 48 hours:

1. Bognor (Aldwick)

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours and bathing is not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

There are eight sewer overflows spread out across the length of this beach with several more to the east and west.

2. Bognor East

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours and bathing is not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

The Aldingbourne Rife crosses the beach at the eastern end of the bathing water where two sewage treatment works outfalls discharge - Lidsey sewage treatment works is 5km upstream from the bathing water and Tangmere sewage treatment works is 9km upstream.

Additionally, there are three surface water outfalls (Norfolk Street, York Road and Albert Road) in the area which may reduce water quality particularly after heavy rainfall. 

There is also a sewer overflow that discharges into one of these surface water outfalls and two further sewer overflows that discharge into the Aldingbourne Rife.

3. Felpham

Pollution Risk Warning: Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

The beach is backed by a footpath and the Aldingbourne Rife river runs through the western end of the bathing water. 

There is a sewer overflow that discharges through a long-sea outfall and another that discharges into the river.

4. Littlehampton Coastguards

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

The beach is backed by a promenade and edges on the western side by the River Arun. One sewer overflow discharges into the mouth of the River Arun while two more discharges 500m upstream of the Arun. 

There is a final sewer overflow some 2km to the east of the beach.

5. Worthing

Pollution Risk Warning: Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

There are four sewer overflows within the vicinity of the beach and a further three within one kilometre to the west of the bathing water.

6. Lancing, Beach Green

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours and bathing is not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

There are no sewer overflows discharging directly into the bathing water but there is one 200m east below the high tide line and several more discharging into the Teville Stream and the East Worthing sea-outfall two kilometres offshore.

7. Shoreham Beach

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

Shoreham beach is a shingle split deposited over time by longshore drift. This blocks the southerly flow of the River Adur which turns east here and later meets the sea. 

The River Adur exits the harbour at the eastern end of the bathing water, separated by a concrete breakwater. 

The pebble beach is predominantly groynes, gently sloping and offers a wide area for bathing. Sands are exposed at low tide.

8. Southwick

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

The River Adur exits the harbour at the western end of the bathing water separated by a concrete breakwater. 

Alerts for this beach will be triggered by any releases within the Shoreham to Newhaven area.

9. Saltdean

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

Alerts for this beach will be triggered by any releases within the Shoreham to Newhaven area.

10. Seaford

Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.

Two sewage overflows in the River Ouse, heavy rainfall could affect bathing water of the beach.

11. Eastbourne

Pollution Risk Warning: Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

The Granville Road sewer overflow is situated 30m south of the bathing water.

12. Pevensey Bay

Pollution Risk Warning: Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

The River Salt Haven inputs into the sea through three outfall pipes just east of the bathing water. 

There are four sewer overflows in the river catchment which discharge when heavy rainfall overwhelms the sewerage system and causes diluted sewage to overflow.

13. Bexhill

Pollution Risk Warning: Bathing not advised today due to the likelihood of reduced water quality.

There are 15 sewer overflows in the Bexhill area, five discharge into the Egerton Park Stream, 140m west of the bathing area, a number discharge directly onto the beach while several more discharge onto the beach 2km either side of the bathing water.