This is why sewage was pumped into the sea at Bexhill

Southern Water said the waste was released onto the beach and into the sea from its pumping station at Galley Hill for just over two-and-a-half hours.

In a letter to Bexhill MP, Huw Merriman, the company said a faulty pump led to the leakage.

Bexhill and Normans Bay beaches were then closed from August 18 to the morning of August 20.

In its letter to Mr Merriman, Southern Water said: “Galley Hill Wastewater Pumping Station (WPS) suffered from electrical failure of its switchgear.

“Following a detailed investigation into the electrical failure of the wastewater pumping station, we have concluded the fault was due to a faulty storm pump which caused both restricted earth fault relays to trip which opened the high voltage breakers to the transformers.

“We are awaiting our Energy Distribution Network Operator (UK Power Networks) report to better understand why the faulty pump caused the restricted earth fault relays to trip.

“This incident saw an emergency release of unscreened storm water onto the beach at Bexhill lasting 151 minutes.

“The local team working with UKPN restored power and brought in additional temporary generation and we have now rectified the issue.

“Relays are inspected every four years, in line with our maintenance plan – the relay was due to be inspected later this year.

“E.coli modelling of the release was also carried out, which showed the pollution from the untreated wastewater had completely dissipated by the early hours of August 20.

“Samples taken on August 19 show E.coli levels were only slightly elevated but still within Good bathing water quality standard.”

Mr Merriman said he met with Southern Water managers and engineers last Friday (August 26) to discuss the sewage discharge incident.

He said: “I sought assurances that matters were in place should there be a repeat incident.

"A back-up generator is onsite. This would start operating should the generator get tripped again.

"The site is also now manned to ensure any issues are instantly detected. For the more medium term, work is being undertaken to ensure that these mechanical issues do not result in the station discharging sewage.”

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