THE SCOURGE of storm overflow pollution “needs to be dealt with as soon as possible” as the Government continues “to kick the can down the road”, a councillor has said.

Southend’s beaches have been declared safe to swim off again following a pollution warning issues last Tuesday.

Swimmers were told to avoid the waters at Leigh Bell Wharf, Jubilee, Three Shells and Chalkwell beaches after the Environment Agency and Anglian Water warned of a potential risk of pollution following heavy rain.

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Seven days later, and there are no longer any water quality alerts in place, according to Surfers Against Sewage’s online real-time tracking map.

In periods of heavy rain fall, water firms are allowed to release overflows of excess water into rivers and the sea – a practice which can often cause sewage pollution and contamination.

The Government has pledged to end this practice by2050, but campaigners say the wait is too long.

Councillor Martin Terry, responsible for public protection, said: “I have been saying this for years, it is unacceptable that this is being allowed to continue.

“The problem is solvable. It is just down to investment in the system and instead the Government and water firms are kicking the can down the road.

“Telling residents they must put up with this rubbish until 2050 is frankly unforgivable. We need to deal with it as soon as possible.”

He added: “I have fought against this practice for many years now as we have had a series of flooding and sewage pollution events here in Southend.”

Anglian Water insists any overflow last week would have been “predominantly rainwater”.

“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,” a spokesman for the firm said.

Environment Secretary George Eustice insists the Government is acting on the issue, adding that water companies should “consider themselves on notice”.

Firms face new targets to improve the sewerage system, including all overflows releasing into, or near, all designated bathing waters, and 75 per cent of those discharging to high priority sites, by 2035.

By 2050, no storm overflows will be permitted to operate outside of unusually heavy rainfall or to cause any adverse ecological harm.