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Southern Water has taken responsibility for the catastrophic spill of plastic biobeads that polluted the Sussex coastline.
Local charities reported a huge spill of millions of biobeads over the weekend, washing up on beaches including Camber Sands. Andy Dinsdale, the founder of the plastic pollution campaign group Strandliners, said it was the worst pollution event he had seen.
According to Southern Water, the spill was caused by a mechanical failure at its Eastbourne sewage works. The beads are used in the last step of the cleaning process before treated effluent water is released back into rivers or the sea.
A spokesperson said: “After completing the initial stages of a thorough investigation, which is continuing, we believe it is highly likely that the beads have come from our Eastbourne wastewater treatment works.
“We’ve identified a failure of a screening filter, which has apparently led to beads used in the treatment process being released into the sea during heavy rainfall. The screen should have prevented this occurring.
“We are very sorry this has happened and are doing everything possible to investigate and resolve the problem.”
The company said it would provide further updates when more information became available.
“Southern Water teams continue to work closely with Rother district council, which is leading the cleanup efforts, and we remain committed to supporting this work in every way we can,” it added.
“Southern Water volunteers will continue to assist. Our staff are there to help, and we ask that they are treated with respect as they help with the beach clean.”
It is unclear whether the company will face punishment, such as a fine for the spill. The Environment Agency has been contacted for comment.
Camber Sands in East Sussex is one of England’s most beloved beaches, with rare dune habitat and vast stretches of golden sand. It is home to several species including dolphins, porpoises, seals and seabirds including terns and cormorants.
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These beads contain a high number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have been linked to cancer. They often contain toxins including lead, antimony and bromine.
Once in the sea, they attract algae, which makes them smell like food to sea creatures, which then eat them and can be poisoned.
People in Sussex have reported a number of dead stranded seals and a porpoise in recent days, and fear the deaths could be linked to the beads.
Volunteers have spent days trying in vain to rid the beach of the tiny beads, which, if left in the environment, will break down into microplastics that are almost impossible to extract from the sea and food chain.
Locals have been using rakes and dustpans and brushes to remove the beads.
