Sewage in the Sea
- 6 June 2012 15:14176723Thankfully I havent noticed it here in Dover ...as of yet, but the lunchtime news was leading with the story that 20 beaches in Kent, eastwards from here, are all closed. Some are complaining that it is affecting trade but with the weather being anything but beachlike the effect so far is probably mimimal.
Some of you might remember the various items we did last year about water quality asking how good was it here in Dover. Well we took a trip especially at the time to Joss Bay to look at the situation, and saw their famous Blue Flag flying high.
It is a very popular location with surfers and that was the beach featured today on the BBC News. It is CLOSED because of the escaping sewage.Health is at risk.
Here are some pictures taken on our exploratory trip last year.
Both Joss Bay.
There have been a number of reports on TV in recent times that during heavy rain water quality on local beaches often suffers, this is when the system cant cope, and polluted water all ends up in the sea and its content on the immediate beaches. Normally after heavy rain is the worst of times...and are we getting some heavy rain!! On top of that the pumping station at Foreness Point has packed in, no doubt collapsing in over capacitation during the recent deluge.
Considerably worse right now of course as untreated sewage is reaching the beaches, how horrible.
Keep an eye out just in case.email: dover7@msn.com - 6 June 2012 15:27176727Took the dog for a walk at Pegwell yesterday near the old Hoverport, loads of kite surfers in the sea there and I did wonder about whether the sewage was a problem there.Audere est facere.
- 6 June 2012 15:44176730That is interesting Martin as the leakage has been happening for more than 3 days as I understand it. Perhaps it has been inspected at Pegwell and given the all clear. In other locations the Blue Flags have been removed but no red ones put up which is seemingly the required practice. A woman on the news today had her toddler at water line at Joss Bay not knowing anything about it...so some confusion.email: dover7@msn.com
- 6 June 2012 15:57176733they seem to have it under control, shouldn't really affect us i would have thought.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/june/6/clear-up_continues_on_thanet.aspx - 6 June 2012 18:07176759Yes, I saw this on the news too, they featured Margate. They definitely said they were putting up the warning red flags around the various beaches to warn people of the dangers of going into the sea at this time and especially as it is half term week too. As you say above Howard, I do hope they can get it sorted and soon.
- 6 June 2012 20:33176795No-one has mentioned the smell which, mixed with the rotting seaweed, was very pungent on Margate Front at the weekend. Heaven knows how bad it would have been if the sun had been out!
- 6 June 2012 20:38176798Yes remember the pictures at the top of the page PaulB, lets hope they get it under control very soon with hopefully some better weather ahead, it will be ashame if the beaches were out of bounds.
- 7 June 2012 07:35176831A bit of unwholesome yuk looking at the guys on TV picking up ..ermmm stuff, and putting it in a sack. Not too good for the local image at the height of the half term season. Fortunately the weather is keeping people off the beaches anyway but as Lesley says there...had the sun been out, the smell would have got you even if the sludge didnt!!
email: dover7@msn.com - 8 June 2012 16:35177123Laura Sandys MP Calls For Investigation into Thanet Sewage Spills
Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet, said: "This period of exceptionally heavy rain has shown that our sewage pipes are no longer fit for purpose. I have long called for authorities to adapt to the pressures of climate change and this incident demonstrates that we must do more to guarantee Thanet's resilience. We are now having to grapple with sewage spills on local beaches - this is frustrating to the public, but also temporarily damaging to local businesses who rely on beach visitors for trade.
"I will be calling for an urgent meeting with Southern Water and Thanet District Council to ensure that everything is being done to correct the situation. Already, I have received reassurance form the Environment Agency that litter picking patrols are collecting rubbish debris and that samples are being collected and tested. I will be calling for a thorough review of how and why sewage leaked into the sea and how we can prevent discharge being leaked in the future.
"I will also be questioning Thanet District Council over their failure to implement a proper action plan. I have received numerous complaints from constituents over the lack of red flags or prominent warning signs on beaches. It is shocking that children swam in the sea over the weekend because families were unaware of the leaking sewage. Thanet District Council will need to consider how they can best improve their communication with the public."email: dover7@msn.com - 8 June 2012 16:39177124a good point from ms sandys there about the red flags, a chap on the t.v. had brought his children down from london and he was unaware of the problem as the blue flag was still up on the beach they visited.
- 8 June 2012 16:51177128Not all the sewerage reaches the sea.....some visit Maison Dieu road..........
- 8 June 2012 16:58177129Hear! Hear! Laura Sandys, Well said
Very impressed with this Lady, she is a go-getter for sure
- 8 June 2012 17:58177139When I was a child they used to say you can't swim in the sea at Margate, you just go through the motions.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 8 June 2012 18:35177147...or surf on the `floaters`.......is that a yellow card Howard ?
- 8 June 2012 18:52177152Red fa(e)ces at Thanet council and Southern Water then....I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 8 June 2012 18:52177153Very good statement from Laura Sandys a lady that her job as MP very seriously.
- 8 June 2012 19:15177159not sure i know how to respond to reg and peter's comments, i seem to have fallen between two stools.
