A staggering 11 Isle of Wight beaches and bathing sites have been affected by sewage releases since 05:00 this morning (Monday), according to data released by Southern Water.
Sewage Outflows were activated in several key tourist hot spots including Sandown, Shanklin, Seaview, St Helens, Yaverland and Appley – with other discharges at locations such as Cowes, East Cowes, Seagrove Bay, Gurnard, Luccombe, Ventnor, and Bembridge. In some locations, sewage was being discharged for nearly 5 hours.
In reaction to the discharges, the Environment Agency has issued guidance that no one should bathe at 7 of the Island’s most popular beaches due to the risk of water pollution.
Sewage Outflows are utilised by wastewater networks to make ’emergency’ releases when the system comes under too much strain. Untreated sewage along with so-called ‘grey water’ from the surfaces of roads and drains is released from outlet pipes into the sea during these discharges.
In comparison to much of the nearby South coast, the Island has a much larger proportion of discharges – with the only discharges nearby coming from Lee-on-Solent and Hillhead.
Islanders are advised against bathing at Gurnard, Appley, Seaview, Seagrove, Bembridge, Sandown, and Shanklin.
UPDATE TUESDAY @ 14:09 – The latest data released today (3rd August) reveals that some sewage discharges were ongoing for over 9 hours.
The Environment Agency has, however, since provided an update on the water quality at the Island beaches affected by the outflows. All beaches listed above are now considered safe to bathe at.
This is nothing new from Southern Water and it’s not just done on rare occasions. Southern Water fly tip sewage from Ryde on a regular basis and have been doing so for years. Unfortunately Southern Waters website only lets you go back 7 days in its release history, otherwise you could all see for yourself the amount and the times they have dumped sewage over the years. https://www.southernwater.co.uk/water-for-life/our-bathing-waters/beachbuoy
As long as I can go swimming in Ventnor beach or wheelers bay then I’m good.
Your not safe at Ventnor it was one of the 11 beaches listed as unsafe
Between Southern Water, Council Planning, most Councillors, whitelink, Red Funnel and ‘local’ builders we have an environment not fit for Tourism or even daily living any more! Every one of those involved should hang their heads in shame over the persistent damage they ALL cause to our once beautiful Island!
Its such a shame to see, they want more and more money from us, and new housing will bring it in, but so many cut backs, on services they used to provide. Where will it all end I wonder.
You say Islanders should not bathe in these areas what about all the Visitors who have come for a seaside holiday are you including them or are we treating them differently or not inclusive!!!
Island will be awash with sewage once the destroyers, oh I mean ‘developers’ have had their way and it is nothing but a load of housing estates.
OMG! Blue Flag status gone down the plug hole then. Watch out, turds about!!
And the horse shit too…..no one seems to mention that one ever????
with you, why does the horse shit. A real shame and totally uncaring of the stable trotting up and down Seagrove and Priory leaving it all over the beach. Horse shit and litter is really spoiling two great spots.
People used to go out into the road and shovel it up for use on their allotments in the ‘old days’,
Born and bred on the island 69 years, and east Cowes has always had the problem after heavy rain , that’s why locals blame the sea weed, it’s also a problem because of the back up of the double tide flow .
If the Southern water system is unable to cope NOW, what is going to happen when all the hundreds of new build properties come online.
Has anyone seen any plans by Southern water to build new treatment plants?
Hi, as a tourist here, how long before we know it’s safe to swim?
Absolutely disgusting, the isle of wight, floating in a sea of sewerage. There is nothing right and no excuse is good enough, to pump excrement into the sea.