SUSPECTED pollution at beaches across Southend, Leigh and Chalkwell could have been caused by overflow from storm drains, experts say.

Anglian Water insists any overflow would have been “predominantly rainwater” as it comes under fire from Southend West MP Anna Firth, who raised the issue in Parliament yesterday.

Southend Council is warning swimmers not to go into the water at Leigh Bell Wharf, Jubilee, Three Shells and Chalkwell beaches due to the risk of pollution.

Addressing the House of Commons yesterday, Ms Firth said: “I have a duty to ensure that our waterways are safe to swim and fish in. Sadly, Anglian Water too often makes use of storm overflows, which discharge pollution straight into the waters off Southend West.

“The water companies, particularly Anglian Water here in Southend West, must not be allowed to pay huge dividends to shareholders and executives whilst continuing to pollute our waterways.”

READ MORE >>

A spokesman for Anglian Water said: “There may have been a short combined storm overflows release overnight when the system would have been processing a huge volume of water owed to the heavy rain and thunderstorms, but there is no current activity on any of our drains at Leigh Bell Wharf.

“While any discharges at Leigh Bell Wharf will have been predominantly rainwater, our BeachAware system notified the Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas service as a precaution, so people can make educated decisions about swimming in the sea.”

Heavy rainfall is expected again this week, with forecasters predicting more thundery showers on Thursday and Friday.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We recommend that bathers take heed of any local warnings before heading into the sea.

“If any member of the public suspects pollution, we would ask them to report this to our pollution hotline on 0800 807060.”

Last month, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it planned to launch the “largest infrastructure programme in water company history to crack down on sewage spills and end pollution”.

Water companies will have to achieve targets, so discharges only happen when there is unusually heavy rain and when there is no immediate adverse