Shocking drone footage shows dirty brown water washing up against the coastline of a popular Kent seaside town.
Videos captured over Herne Bay on Tuesday show the once turquoise North Sea has turned completely brown and a white, foamy substance appears to be floating on it.
Southern Water said the discoloration appeared to be caused by “sediment upheaval” coming from a nearby power point pipe and was “naturally occurring” when it launched an investigation.
And just a mile offshore, the popular tourist spot of Whitstable Harbor suffers from turbid surface water, which is also linked to Southern Water sediments.
The utility is working “hard” to reduce the use of stormwater in Whitstable and is investing £25m to modernize its waste water treatment plant in Swalecliffe. Southern Water aims to reduce discharges by at least 20 per cent by spring 2025.
Images taken over Herne Bay on Tuesday show the once turquoise North Sea has turned completely brown
Close-ups of the North Sea near Herne Bay have a white, foamy substance, apparently some sort of secretion, floating on top of the brown colored water
Drones flying over Herne Bay captured video on Tuesday as waves of murky water hit the Kent coast. Close-up pictures of the North Sea showed a white, foamy substance, apparently some kind of outflow, floating on top of the brown-colored water.
The video sparked a discussion on Twitter after environmental activist group SOS Whistable asked their followers: “Do you want to swim in it?”
The group also requested that Southern Water provide an explanation for the discolouration.
A spokesman for Southern Water told MailOnline that an investigation into the incident is ongoing and experts believe it is likely due to natural causes.
“Initial indications are that this is not a result of the storm overflow we serve, but is likely caused by sediment recirculation that is naturally formed and comes from a nearby creek outlet pipe and various runoff from fields, highways, sewers and water.” receive drainage. of roofs,” the spokesperson added.
The water company believes the plume originated at the mouth of the Plentybrook Stream, which reportedly receives multiple runoff from fields and highway drains, as well as runoff from roofs.
The company claimed that the only storm spillway connected to this stream had no leaks or problems.
Similarly, Southern Water confirmed that the discoloration reported at Whitstable Harbor on Tuesday was “due to sediment” – not sewage or storm surge as some activists had claimed.
“This video only shows a discharge of surface water – it is not a storm overflow and does not contain sewage,” said the spokesperson.
“It supports the steady flow of the nearby Gorrell Stream and provides Whitstable flood protection by channeling water into the harbor twice a day. Any discoloration is due to sediment.’
The company is investigating whether the incidents are in any way related.
Southern Water has confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing and experts believe it is likely to be due to natural causes.
Southern Water confirmed the discoloration reported at Whitstable Harbor on Tuesday was “due to sediment” – not sewage or storm surge, as some campaigners had suggested
Southern Water pointed out that it is working with community groups, including SOS Whistable, to install 2,000 slow-draining rain barrels in the Tankerton area.
Other initiatives include the introduction of sustainable drainage systems and efforts to create “green” communal spaces.
“We are also working hard to reduce the use of stormwater at Whitstable, investing £25m in upgrading Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Plant and introducing more nature-based solutions to improve the flow of surface water into the sewer system. ‘ said a spokesperson.
The company hopes to reduce the number of storm surges by at least 20 percent within the next two years.
The video comes as Environment Secretary Therese Coffey launched a campaign to improve water in Britain’s beauty spots.
She unveiled a plan that would legally oblige water companies to end wastewater discharges by 2050.
Wastewater discharge near high-priority areas, such as nature reserves, must be reduced by 75 percent by 2030 and eliminated by 2045.
Ms Coffey’s campaign follows a report in which analysts revealed that by 2022, water companies will dump waste water on England’s Blue Flag beaches more than 1,500 times.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
