US EditionUK water firm says 'highly likely' behind plastic pellet pollution incident
Southern Water admitted a screening filter failure led to biobeads polluting Sussex coast and pledged ongoing cleanup and improvements after the incident.
- On Monday Southern Water said it was highly likely biobeads came from its Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works after a filter failure, apologising for pollution at Camber.
- A failed screening filter at Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works allowed biobeads to escape during heavy rainfall, Southern Water said.
- Rother District Council is leading the clean-up after Southern Water identified a filter failure that released biobeads during heavy rainfall, with campaigner Dominic Manning warning of toxicity risks.
- Eastbourne Borough Council previously took legal action against Southern Water over odour at Langney Point treatment works, while residents of Sovereign Harbour and Langney reported being forced indoors during summer; Southern Water plans a public meeting in February 2026.
- Southern Water says it is drawing up plans with local partners to reduce flooding risk and support the Eastbourne community, hoping this marks a reset in relations.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Locals uncover disturbing truth behind mysterious beads washed up on public beach: 'I am deeply disappointed'
A private British utility company has admitted responsibility for a severe recent pollution incident in southern England, according to the Guardian. What's happening? In early November, "millions" of black plastic beads began washing ashore on Camber Sands beach in East Sussex. On Nov. 8, the Guardian reported that local volunteers scrambled to the shoreline to assist and added that the "scale of the pollution spill is vast." Andy Dinsdale of t…
Countless plastic pellets have polluted several beaches in England - environmentalists speak of "millions" of plastic particles inundated and warn against "catastrophic" effects.The black beads probably came from a sewage treatment plant, as the responsible company Southern Water announced on Monday.The private company is responsible for the disposal and treatment of wastewater in several counties in the south of England.The pellets have been wa…
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