Southern Water incident update – advice against bathing remains in place

Following an incident at the Southern Water Margate Wastewater Pumping Station yesterday (Thursday 17 June) and recent heavy rainfall, advice remains in place for members of the public not to enter the sea or the area of beach below the high water mark.

In liaison with the Environment Agency, advice against bathing is in place at the following bays: 

• Minnis Bay
• West Bay
• St Mildreds Bay
• Westbrook
• Margate Main Sands
• Walpole Bay
• Palm Bay
• Foreness
• Botany Bay
• Kingsgate Bay
• Joss Bay

Signs have been placed on these bays to inform beach users.

A clean up operation around the coast led by Southern Water continues, with extra resources being deployed over the weekend.

Thanet District Council teams remain out to assess the impact of the Southern Water incident and will continue to monitor the situation closely over the weekend.

Southern Water has confirmed that the pumping station is operating as it should and will continue to monitor the site. 

Advice against bathing will only be lifted once it is considered safe and appropriate to do so.

The Environment Agency has undertaken water quality testing in the area and inspections of the beaches will take place following every high tide. 

The council will continue to keep beach users and the wider public updated.

Update Saturday 19 June (9.45am)

Separately to the incident, following the significant rainfall which also impacts the quality of the water, advice against bathing was also extended yesterday (Friday 18 June) to include Viking Bay in Broadstairs.  This advice has now been lifted.

Given the potential for further heavy rain, beach users are urged to check the Environment Agency bathing waters webpage for up to date information.