Brighton Swimmers Voice Anger Over Persistent Sea Sewage Pollution

Swimmers along the southern coast of England are voicing growing frustration over recurring sewage pollution in the sea, which has made checking pollution alerts a routine necessity before going for a swim. The safety concerns come during a summer marked by record-setting heatwaves across England, which drove large numbers of residents and visitors to coastal waters and rivers.

Public data indicates that Brighton beach in East Sussex recorded two sewage alerts during August. Over the course of 2025, the same beach was subject to 158 pollution warnings. The issue coincides with a recent report by environmental organization Friends of the Earth, which ranked water utility companies across the United Kingdom according to their level of environmental damage following widespread reports of sewage discharges. An environmental analysis further identified South West Water as maintaining the worst environmental record among utility firms in England.

Local residents state that monitoring sewage discharges has become as commonplace as checking weather conditions and tide times before entering the water. Jo Armstrong, a 75-year-old swimmer who lives in Lewes, approximately eight miles from Brighton, said pollution prevented her from swimming at her usual beach in Seaford during a recent week. Armstrong noted that Brighton remained one of the few clean coastal spots in the immediate area during that period, criticizing how quickly sewage overflows occur following rain.

The recurring water quality issues are also affecting local community programs and ocean access. Hildi Mitchell, 55, who leads an open-water instruction program named Pool to Pier, said fear of falling ill from polluted water keeps many pool swimmers from entering the sea. Mitchell provides free workshops for children from lower-income families, emphasizing that sea swimming should be an accessible, cost-free activity for local residents, but is increasingly compromised by pollution concerns.

Health fears have forced some long-term sea enthusiasts to seek alternatives. Greg Veros, 59, a Brighton resident of 22 years, shifted his routine to an outdoor swimming pool after falling ill from what he believes was sea pollution several years ago. Another resident, 54-year-old Anna Field, said that although dry conditions this summer reduced noticeable sewage odors compared to previous years, potential contamination continues to restrict public access to the ocean.

Background

In the United Kingdom, water and sewage infrastructure is operated by regional private utility companies. During periods of heavy rainfall, combined sewer systems can become overwhelmed, leading companies to discharge untreated sewage into rivers and coastal seas via storm overflows to prevent urban flooding. Public scrutiny of these discharges has intensified in recent years amid growing anger over environmental damage, public health risks, and the degradation of designated bathing waters across the country.