Southern Water fined £160,000 for sewage pollution

Beaches from Southwick to Ferring were affected by the pollution in September 2012

Southern Water has been fined £160,000 for breaching environmental regulations when it pumped raw sewage into the sea.

The pollution closed 10 miles of south coast beaches over four days in September 2012 after three pumps failed at East Worthing waterworks.

Chichester Crown Court was told that untreated sewage formed a visible slick of pollution in the water.

The company was found in breach following a trial in July and August and ordered to pay costs of £27,000.

Bathing beaches between Southwick and Ferring were closed to protect the public.

Following the verdict, the company apologised to customers and businesses affected by the incident.

It added it had since invested close to £20m on improvements at the site and installed back-up systems to help reduce the risk of a future emergency.