'Sewage Fest' posters in Brighton take aim at foul polluters

Water companies bosses have been invited to Sewage Fest 2022 in Brighton following the pollution of beaches and rivers with sewage in recent months.

The festival promises performances from Avril Latrine, The Poo Fighters and The Splash.

The posters are the work of campaigning organisation 38 Degrees, which aims to highlight the real threat sewage pollution across the country poses to people and wildlife.

The foul festival features acts including Avril Latrine, The Poolice, and Waste Against The Machine (Image: 38 Degrees)

Matt Richards, campaign manager at 38 Degrees, said: “Our beaches and rivers have become a literal sewage fest and our water companies are to blame.

“That’s why we wanted to celebrate their unique contribution to our natural landscape by plastering Brighton - known for both its vibrant music scene and now its strong sewage pollution levels, with Sewage Fest posters.

“We’re also offering VIP tickets to the CEOs of the top performing sewage polluters, including Southern Water. After all, it wouldn’t have been possible without them (but they might want to bring their wellies).”

During the summer, Brighton and Hove City Council criticised Southern Water for the dumping of raw sewage into the sea in Seaford.

Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said at the time: “Dumping sewage into the sea not only harms wildlife, it also affects everything from our health, public safety to the local economy.

“It’s in all our interests that this Victorian malpractice stops now.”

Southern Water previously received a record-breaking £90 million fine for releasing sewage into the sea.

When sentencing the water company, Justice Jeremy Johnson said the firm had discharged between 16 billion and 21 billion litres of raw sewage into some of the most precious, delicate environments in the country.

During periods of heavy rain or storms, wastewater is released into coastal areas to prevent sewers from becoming overloaded with rainwater and sewage and backing up into properties.

According to the Environment Agency, raw sewage was pumped into rivers and seas around 375,000 times last year.

The posters for Sewage Fest, which also features acts such as Franz Turdinand and Iggy Poop and The Stinks, can be found on walls in Beaconsfield Road, St James’s Street, Church Street, Windsor Street, Trafalgar Street, Kings Road and Richmond Parade.