Update: Monday 21 July
Advice against bathing or entering the sea has been lifted at the remaining five bays today (Monday 21 July).
Guidance had previously been in place restricting bathing or entering the water at 14 bays. This followed the release of storm wastewater by Southern Water as a result of the heavy rain overnight on Friday 18 July.
Signs advising beach users to stay out of the water will now be removed at:
- Stone Bay
- Viking Bay
- Louisa Bay
- Dumpton Gap
- Ramsgate Main Sands
Pollution Risk Forecast
Separately, the Environment Agency (EA) has today issued a ‘Pollution Risk Forecast’ for West Bay in Westgate-on-Sea and Margate Fulsam Rock.
This is as a result of the heavy rain and the potential impact on water quality at these beaches. It is not linked to the discharge of storm wastewater by Southern Water. This is standard monitoring by the EA carried out throughout the bathing season.
Swimmers are therefore discouraged from entering the water at West Bay and Margate Fulsam Rock.
Further information on pollution risk forecasting is available on the EA website.
Update: Sunday 20 July (most recent advice above)
Advice against bathing or entering the sea has been lifted at nine of Thanet’s beaches today (Sunday 20 July), with restrictions remaining in place at five bays.
This follows the notification from Southern Water that storm wastewater was discharged into the sea as a result of the heavy rain overnight on Friday 18 July.
The signs advising beach users to stay out of the water will now be removed at:
- West Bay
- St Mildred’s Bay
- Westbrook Bay
- Margate Main Sands
- Walpole Bay
- Botany Bay
- Kingsgate Bay
- Joss Bay
- Ramsgate Western Undercliff
As a result of a further discharge yesterday afternoon (Saturday 19 July) in Ramsgate, advice not to swim or go into the water will however remain in place at the following bays:
- Stone Bay
- Viking Bay
- Louisa Bay
- Dumpton Gap
- Ramsgate Main Sands
Warning signs will stay displayed in these locations advising beach users not to enter the water.
The council continues to keep in contact with the Environment Agency and Southern Water to establish further updates.
We hope to be able to lift the remaining restrictions as soon as possible.
Original article – posted Saturday 19 July (most recent advice above – as per Monday 21 July)
Advice against bathing or entering the sea at 14 of the district’s beaches is in place today, Saturday 19 July 2025.
Signs will be put up at the affected beaches, from West Bay in Westgate-on-Sea to the Western Undercliff in Ramsgate.
Beach users are advised to stay out of the water during this time.
This follows a confirmed discharge of storm wastewater by Southern Water as a result of the heavy rainfall experienced overnight on Friday 18 July. Storm wastewater is a combination of sewage and surface water. Following the recent dry weather, pollution is also possible from surface water runoff.
We are liaising with the Environment Agency and Southern Water to establish further updates.
Further information will follow and we hope to be able to lift the restrictions as soon as possible.
