What pollution incident has affected the Sussex coast?

Millions of plastic pellets have washed up on the Sussex and Kent coastlines following a spill from a Southern Water treatment works.

How serious is the plastic pellet pollution on Sussex beaches?

The Environment Agency has classified the incident as category one, indicating a major environmental impact on the affected beaches.

What is Southern Water doing about the plastic spill?

Southern Water has apologized for the incident and committed to a long-term cleanup of the Sussex and Kent coastlines.

Home / Environment / Millions of Plastic Pellets Flood Sussex Coastline

Millions of Plastic Pellets Flood Sussex Coastline

9 Jan

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Summary

Millions of plastic pellets washed ashore on Sussex and Kent coasts.
Incident upgraded to category one by the Environment Agency.
Southern Water responsible for spill from Eastbourne treatment works.

Millions of Plastic Pellets Flood Sussex Coastline

A significant pollution event has seen millions of plastic pellets wash ashore along the Sussex and Kent coastlines. The Environment Agency has officially upgraded the severity of this incident, classifying it as a category one event due to its major environmental impact. These plastic beads have extensively affected areas including Camber Sands and the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

The source of this pollution is strongly suspected to be a spill from a Southern Water wastewater treatment works located in Eastbourne. This incident initially occurred in October and has now been formally recognized for its widespread ecological consequences. The scale of the contamination has prompted serious concern.

Southern Water has issued an apology for the incident and pledged its commitment to undertaking a comprehensive, long-term cleanup operation for the affected coastal areas. The company aims to address the environmental damage caused by the spill.