The public has been advised against bathing in the sea at several beaches in East Kent following a discharge of storm wastewater after heavy rainfall.
Thanet District Council issued the warning on Thursday 11th June 2026. The warning covers entering the water at 12 beaches between Newgate Gap in Margate and Ramsgate Main Sands.
The affected beaches include popular holiday locations Joss Bay, Stone Bay and Viking Bay in Broadstairs.
A council spokesperson said that its advice had been issued after “a confirmed discharge of storm wastewater by Southern Water on Wednesday, following the heavy rain.”
Signs have been placed at entrances to the affected beaches.
Polly Billington, MP for East Thanet, said: “Every time there is a sewage spill like this, it threatens our health and our local economy. People choose to live in and visit Thanet for the sea, and Southern Water’s job is to ensure that is safe for all of us.”
A spokesperson for Southern Water, which is responsible for the wastewater in the area, said: “We understand how upsetting pollution and beach closures are, and we’re committed to a full investigation and to taking steps to prevent a recurrence.”
Southern Water added “Increased stormwater put our network under significant pressure and our storm overflows operated as normal to protect homes from flooding. A concurrent power failure at our Margate pumping station reduced its capacity to handle these flows, contributing to the system becoming overloaded and resulting in releases. This is unacceptable and we’re very sorry for the impact on the community, visitors and the local environment.”
