I was advised of an emergency evacuation of parts of Worthing Beach undertaken by the Beach Control Team due to a worrying large slick of black oil observed to be emanating from around a Southern Water outflow pipe.
My team and I were in immediate contact with Southern Water to request that pollution investigators attended the site urgently. Within hours, a team had been dispatched to the area adjacent to Heene Road to test the bathing water.
We have received assurances that the most likely reason for the change in the appearance of the seawater is a build-up of silt around the outfall.
The samples taken are reported to have contained no ammonia, meaning that there was no foul spillage. The investigator then took samples from the Lido up to Steyne Gardens which also showed no ammonia. An urgent request has been made for the dirtied shingle to be removed from around the outfall to remove the built-up material.
We celebrate the work of our Beach Control Teams, as well as our Coastguard and Lifeboat Service. They work hard to keep our beaches safe and accessible for all.
The quality of our water matters greatly not least to our seaside economy which relies greatly on our high-quality beaches and bathing waters.
Water quality is vastly improving. We should expect it to continue to improve as our systems become more efficient and effective. Let us continue to campaign and work hard in support of this.
