Southern Water have shared details of an electrical issue at their Shoreham Waste Water Treatment Works overnight resulting in the failure of two pumps on site.
Southern Water were unable to release treated effluent via their Long Sea Outfall. As a result, screened wastewater was released via the Short Sea Outfall, 500m offshore in the Shoreham Harbour.
Immediate work overnight to install a temporary pump has meant that, as of this morning, the Long Sea Outfall is back in use.
The pollution is believed to affect the whole of Adur's coastline from Lancing to Fishersgate, including the River Adur. Given tidal direction and other natural factors, it is not clear how much of an impact this will have had, if any, on Worthing and Arun coastal waters.
I have been in touch with Southern Water's senior leadership and requested ongoing updates on the environmental impact as well as a briefing regarding the full details of what happened, what action was taken to address the issue and what is being done to prevent it from happening again.
Any information received will be shared on here and on my website.
