Latest news with #TimPrater
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Warning against swimming after sewage spill
Swimmers are being urged to avoid using a beach in Kent due to "pollution from sewage". The alert at Sandgate Beach, near Folkestone, is expected to last until 24 May, according to the Environment Agency (EA). Sandgate and West Folkestone ward councillor Tim Prater said a drain near The Sandgate Hotel "seems to be discharging sewage onto the beach". But Southern Water said a damaged sewer pipe caused the spill, and the discharge had "not affected bathing water quality." "The discharge from the surface water outfall has not entered the sea," it said. The water company added that the incident was reported on Wednesday and it immediately sent teams to the Esplanade. It has since "introduced a series of measures to protect the local environment, including tankers to control flows through the area". Councillor Prater says the anti-swimming advisory could be lifted sooner than forecast. Folkestone and Hythe District Council confirmed the EA and Southern Water were "working to fix" the sewage leak and that signage was being installed at the site. The EA's most recent water quality classification for Sandgate was "excellent", based on samples it took between 2021 and 2024. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. 'Sewage has hit tourism - we must adapt or close' Southern Water pleads guilty to 13 Kent sewage spills Environment Agency Folkestone & Hythe District Council Southern Water
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Sandgate Beach sewage leak prompts warning against swimming
Swimmers are being urged to avoid using a beach in Kent due to "pollution from sewage".The alert at Sandgate Beach, near Folkestone, is expected to last until 24 May, according to the Environment Agency (EA).Sandgate and West Folkestone ward councillor Tim Prater said a drain near The Sandgate Hotel "seems to be discharging sewage onto the beach".But Southern Water said a damaged sewer pipe caused the spill, and the discharge had "not affected bathing water quality." "The discharge from the surface water outfall has not entered the sea," it water company added that the incident was reported on Wednesday and it immediately sent teams to the has since "introduced a series of measures to protect the local environment, including tankers to control flows through the area". Councillor Prater says the anti-swimming advisory could be lifted sooner than and Hythe District Council confirmed the EA and Southern Water were "working to fix" the sewage leak and that signage was being installed at the EA's most recent water quality classification for Sandgate was "excellent", based on samples it took between 2021 and 2024.
