Thanet waste water alert lifted at most beaches

Warnings for the public not to enter the sea after "unscreened waste water" was released have been lifted at most beaches in Thanet.

Thanet District Council, in Kent, warned the public not to go in the sea or below the high water line at 14 beaches due to pollution.

Southern Water released the waste water after storms damaged a pumping station at Broadstairs on 5 October.

The council has lifted restrictions at 13 of the 14 beaches.

Guidance against bathing continues at Joss Bay, where signs remain in place, because of ongoing evidence of debris on the shoreline, the council posted on Twitter.

Repairs to the pumping station had been completed and daily inspections have been carried out to monitor the impact of the spill.

Ash Ashbee, leader of the council said: "Every day we continue to advise people against swimming in our waters is quite frankly a day too long.

"Being forced into a position where we have to ask bathers, water sports enthusiasts and even businesses not to go about their normal activities on the grounds of safety, is simply unacceptable."

Earlier this year Southern Water was fined a record £90m for deliberately dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into the sea.

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