More than 70 Thanet residents gathered at Viking Bay in Broadstairs yesterday afternoon as part of the nationwide day of action coordinated by Surfers Against Sewage.
A series of Paddle Out Protests were held around the country to demand transformational change to water companies.
The community band, Samba Ya Wantsum , played the protestors down Harbour Street to the beach, making some joyful noise.
Event organiser Fi O’Connor gave a safety briefing and then handed the megaphone to the Mayor of Broadstairs, Mike Garner.
Cllr Garner said the protest came at an opportune time as the Environment Agency sends in its performance assessment of water companies later this month.
He added: “ We must stop fining the water companies and take back shares instead, to bring the water companies into public ownership.”
The winds were high so many protestors stayed on the beach while 30 experienced swimmers, paddle boarders and surfers took to the sea to protest the continued dumping of sewage in bathing waters.
Organisers thanked the Broadstairs Sailing Club for its cooperation to ensure a safe and effective protest.
Last month Southern Water pleaded guilty to charges of unpermitted discharges from Thanet wastewater sites in Margate, Broadstairs and Weatherlees Hill between 2019 and 2021, in breach of Environmental regulations.
The water firm made the plea to 13 charges at a hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 22 April, following an Environment Agency investigation into the pollution incidents.
A release of wastewater from the emergency outfall at Foreness Point in June 2021 affected 11 isle beaches. Southern Water said the release was due to a lightning strike at the wastewater pumping station.
A failure at the Broadstairs pumping station in October 2021 resulting in advice against bathing or entering the area below the high-water mark at 14 of Thanet’s beaches following an unscreened wastewater release.
The case was adjourned for sentencing at a later date.
Can we start fining TDC who also pollute our sea with poor governance.Almost everyday of the year bins overflow with litter onto the beach.Dog poo bins also overspill and some ends up in the sea.The coastline at Jossbay has litter everywhere.Our roadside drains designed to catch water are 60% silted up.TDC pick more litter other than Viking Bay.Provide more bins.Sweep the streets and get KCC to unblock our drains.Apalling management.
it does make you wonder where the money goes ? and i note there is never any mention of all of the thousands of pounds the wind farm companies pay every time they are in and out of the harbour ? they seem to keep very quiet about that.