Southsea electronic beach signs warn bathers of sewage risk
Technology installed on Eastney Esplanade show information of likely ‘release events’, emphasising the decline of Britain’s coastal waters.
The new electronic signs are situated close to the Coffee Cup Eastney an Southsea Beach Café, and are powered by solar electricity. Portsmouth City Council has fitted the equipment in partnership with Stop the Sewage Southsea, Final Straw Foundation and environmental campaigners.
‘Water companies should not be dumping sewage in bathing waters at all, however we know that is not always the reality. That is why councillors have been working with local campaigners over many months to create these signs, which will warn people of any sewage releases in the local vicinity,’ said Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council Leader.
‘They provide simple, up-to-date information about the quality of our water, helping people to make informed decisions about bathing,’ he continued. ‘Though the Council isn’t responsible for the quality of our waters, we continue to put pressure on those who are so people can continue to enjoy our fantastic beaches and feel confident about swimming all year round.’
Two messages can be displayed on the signs – a green ‘no water quality alert’ and red ‘sewage pollution alert’, triggered if there has been a release in the past 48 hours. Readings are based on data from Surfers Against Sewage’s online map, which tracks overflows across the UK. The information does not relate to nearby Southsea East Beach, which the Environment Agency advises against bathing in at all times, ranking the water as ‘poor quality’. The new kit replaced interim temporary sewage signing that was introduced in 2022.
‘In 2021 Stop the Sewage Southsea petitioned Portsmouth City Council to install warning signs in the swimming zone to support swimmers, paddleboarders and other water users to be able to make educated decisions about using the water safely,’ said Sarah Shreeve, of Stop the Sewage Southsea. ‘We’re thrilled that the interim signs secured in 2022 have been replaced with these electronic versions. We are thankful for the collaboration between local advocacy groups, and the hard work of [local campaigners] Mike Owens and Bianca Carr that has brought this brilliant project to fruition.’
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Image: Portsmouth City Council