Analysis by www.sewagemap.co.uk showing how sewage was discharged into the river Brede for 17 hours on the Thursday before the August bank holiday is being disputed by Southern Water. The water company says the figure is wrong and the actual spill time is 69 minutes.
The website, which uses data from water companies, shows Southern Water releasing sewage into the river at the bottom of Ferry Hill in Winchelsea between 8am on Thursday 27 August and 1am the following morning – a day with just 1mm of rain towards the end of the last heatwave. More sewage was also released at the same time into the Pannel Valley waterway further upstream.
A spokesperson for Southern Water said the cause of an incorrect reading may be faulty sensors or IT glitches. “Rainfall in August resulted in this storm overflow release which activated as intended to protect homes, schools and businesses from flooding. Hardened ground caused by the hot, dry summer is less able to absorb water, meaning that large volumes of rainfall instead flood directly into the combined sewer system, increasing pressure on the network and resulting in storm overflow releases.”
This week has seen more sewage released into all the local rivers after heavy rain on Tuesday 8 September. A lengthy discharge, of over 24 hours, is being reported by www.sewagemap.co.uk at the Marsham Sewer, which runs into the River Brede.
In 2025 the River Brede was polluted by sewage 165 times lasting a total of 1596 hours, according to the Top-of-the-poops.org website. In Rye town centre there were 248 incidents lasting 616 hours.
Dr Claire Bayntun, who lives next to the river, said, “The Brede is rich in wildlife diversity – these recent sewage discharges must be prevented from damaging this beautiful habitat in the future.” She samples the water quality on the Brede as part Community River Watch – Rother.
The news comes as a petition signed by over 330,000 people was handed in at 10 Downing Street demanding more action on water pollution, in particular the sewage pumped into the sea.
Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore presented the petition working with pressure group Surfers Against Sewage.
The MP has been heavily critical of Southern Water which she says is responsible for repeated sewage dumping in the sea near popular bathing sites locally. “Southern Water’s destruction of our way of life as a seaside community should never have been allowed to happen. Just recently they began pumping sewage into our sea (at St Leonards’) after 60 days of drought. Enough is enough. We must put people before profit and bring water under public control.”
Giles Bristown, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, said, “Andy Burnham must take back control and restructure the sector so that it operates for people and planet, not greedy shareholders. With bold decision-making and action from our government, we can build a water industry that operates for public good and that restores the places we love to swim, surf and play in.”
Southern Water said,”We’re working hard to reduce our reliance on overflow releases through our £1.5 billion Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, which includes more than £340m allocated specifically to Sussex.”
Image Credits: Claire Bayntun , Sewagemap.co.uk , sewagemap.co.uk , Lee Thomas .