Investigation after sewage is dumped in Littlehampton sea

The water company was forced to undertake the emergency action last week in an effort to protect residents’ homes and businesses from flooding after a fault at its Sea Road pumping station was reported.

The move prompted an immediate health alert to be issued by Arun District Council and the Littlehampton Harbour Board, which urged beach-goers to stay out of the waters for at least 48 hours.

On Monday morning (September 1), the Environment Agency confirmed that an investigation into Southern Water’s actions was taking place to see whether or not the company had acted illegally or not.

A spokesman said: “Our officers were on site to establish the facts and we worked closely with Southern Water, Arun District Council and the harbour board to ensure the incident was brought to a close as quickly as possible and its impact mitigated.

“We are also providing timely water quality results to allow the local council to produce and update their public warning and informing information.

“We are undertaking a full investigation into this discharge as we continue our dialogue with Southern Water Services about their asset and environmental performances. We take all reported incidents very seriously. We fully appreciate what the coastal economy means to the businesses and members of public in Littlehampton. We continue to have the improvement of bathing waters as one of our top priorities.”

The discharge of sewage eventually stopped at 5pm on Thursday evening (August 28).

A spokeswoman for Arun said that the water quality on both Littlehampton and West beaches were now normal and safe for bathers to swim in. Southern Water has defended the company’s action, with a spokesman saying it was an emergency situation which could have resulted in a number of properties being flooded with raw sewage.

He said the organisation was working with the Environment Agency on its investigation.

“A problem at our Sea Road pumping station last week meant we had to release wastewater into the sea to protect homes and businesses from flooding,” he said. “A team of ten people set up a series of temporary pumps to bypass a valve with a sheared bolt at the pumping station.

“This meant the release of wastewater, to prevent it from backing up in the sewers and flooding homes and streets, was stopped that afternoon.

“The valve, which is four metres underground, has since been replaced and the site has returned to normal.”

The spokesman added that although sewage had been pumped out to sea, 97 per cent of the liquid was just water.

“Most of it is made up of wastewater from kitchen sinks, showers and baths, which has not yet been treated,” he added.

In May this year, Littlehampton’s beach was one of only a handful in the county to have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for its overall cleanliness.

County, district and town councillor Dr James Walsh said he was concerned that further instances like this could result in Littlehampton being stripped of its accolade.

Dr Walsh said: “It is high time that Southern Water took its responsibilities seriously, rather than just looking after shareholders, and ensured that proper back-up is available for emergencies.”

The Environment Agency has since urged the public to report any incidents of pollution to the organisation’s 24-hour hotline, on 0800 807060.