SWIMMERS have been urged to avoid the water off Southend’s beaches as furious councillors insist it “isn’t safe” following reports of sewage being discharged into the sea.

The warning was in place on Shoebury Common, Thorpe and Jubilee beaches yesterday after campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) revealed heavy rain had led to sewage systems partially emptying into the water. 

No official warning signs have been installed on the beaches, with Anglian Water asking the public to “make their own decisions” about whether to go into the sea.

But councillors insisted the message wasn’t good enough, with Lydia Hyde labelling the three affected beaches “no-swim zones” on Facebook.

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She said: “I want to see families splashing around in our water, but fundamentally, it is not safe, especially if we are saying the people have to make a judgement or not. 

“If the answer is that storm sewage might be going into the water, but it might mostly be water, then that is the problem. 

“We can’t be using excuse there is a chance it will be fine. That isn’t good enough.”

Ms Hyde, who represents St Laurence, admitted the sewage discharge had the potential to see a drop in footfall on the seafront during what is the busiest time of the year for traders. 

She added: “I am fuming at the number of times sewage is released into our sea.

“Having this released, in the height of summer, in a city that relies on its seafront tourism, is appalling.

“We are a seaside economy that can’t afford this. It impacts businesses, families, and the environment.

“Do tourists and children really want to be splashing around with the risks, and illness that come from it? 

“It is ridiculous.”

Kursaal councillor Matt Dent was another to raise concerns about sewage being dumped into the sea.

“Personally, I wouldn’t go in the sea after any sewage release,” he said.

“It is a worry, you know sewage being released always happens, and it happens anytime we get a downpour of any significance.

“Companies need to be held responsible because it isn’t acceptable.

“With it being the summer holidays it is a concern as parents do let children play in the sea and aren’t always as aware as swimmers.”

SAS had issued the warning to stay out of the water in bald terms, with chief executive Hugo Tagholm labelling the situation a s***storm on Twitter.

In a report published in July, the Environment Agency said water company bosses should face jail for the worst pollution incidents, describing the sector’s performance in 2021 as the “worst we have seen for years”.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The current risk of surface water flooding reinforces the need for robust action from water companies to reduce discharges from storm overflows. 

“We are monitoring the current situation and supporting local authorities where needed.”

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for public protection, added: “The council works closely with both the Environment Agency and Anglian Water to ensure our beaches’ bathing water is of a safe standard for our residents and visitors.

“Anglian Water, as the sewage company for our area, is responsible for monitoring their sewage systems for any potential overflow, and all alerts are subject to follow up enquires and investigation. If any of our beaches’ bathing waters were not safe to use, we would always alert residents by putting signage in place and sharing updates on our website and social media channels.”

Link to full responses from Southend Council and Anglian Water: www.echo-news.co.uk/news/20668821.water-company-says-people-can-make-educated-decisions-sea-swimming/