Southern Water Deploys Advanced Technology to Accelerate Beach Pellet Cleanup
Southern Water is actively addressing a significant microplastic spill that recently affected Camber Sands in East Sussex. The incident occurred when a leak from a wastewater treatment plant in Eastbourne released up to 10 tonnes of plastic pellets into the sea.
Overview of the Incident
The spill happened through a 3.4 km (2.1 miles) long pipe due to a fault in a treatment tank. Since the leak, Southern Water has reported that the cleanup has already cost the company £2 million. Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with estimates suggesting that total costs may rise significantly.
Impact on Coastal Areas
The affected area spans 40 miles (65 km) of coastline from Eastbourne to St Mary’s Bay in Kent, which has been identified as the primary risk zone for the scattered biobeads.
According to Alex Saunders, Southern Water’s wastewater manager, approximately 80% of the plastic pellets have now been removed from the beach. He said, “We are committed to restoring the beach to its previous condition.”
Innovative Cleanup Technology
To expedite the beach cleanup, Southern Water is introducing advanced methods. The company will employ 12 battery-operated sieves designed to sort microplastics sized 2.6 mm (0.1 in) and larger efficiently. Furthermore, three new Nurdle machines will augment their efforts by using high-powered vacuum technology for longer-term maintenance of the beaches.
Community Involvement and Safety Guidelines
- Local volunteers have been integral to the cleanup efforts.
- Residents are advised to wear gloves when handling plastic beads.
- Dog owners are cautioned to prevent their pets from ingesting the beads.
Ongoing Investigations and Government Response
The Environment Agency has acknowledged Southern Water’s responsibility for the pollution incident. They are conducting an active investigation and have vowed to take necessary enforcement actions. Collaboration with the Rother District Council continues to ensure a comprehensive response to the cleanup operation.
In addition to remediation efforts, Southern Water is concentrating on preventing future leaks. Engineers are examining the treatment tanks to mitigate any risk of similar incidents occurring again.
As efforts progress, the company remains dedicated to restoring the affected beach area and protecting the coastal environment from microplastic pollutants.
