BRITS have been left disgusted by a grim video showing water containing raw sewage pouring onto a beach and into the sea after heavy rainfall.
Emily Cunningham shared the clip to social media on Saturday of the concerning sight at Trevaunance Cove in St Agnes, Cornwall.
The biologist from Falmouth, Cornwall was furious at the situation and was quick to stress the impact of the situation.
She added that lifeguards were forced to effectively close the area and advise people against doing activities on the beach.
Emily was quick to contact South West Water, who confirmed the rainfall had resulted in the activation of a storm overflow, a relief valve opened when the sewer system is at risk of being overwhelmed.
To prevent flooding, storm overflows release excess rainwater and wastewater into rivers and seas, often causing environmental damage as a consequence.
The video shows brown water gushing from an opening in the sea wall and running over stones on the beach.
As the camera moves away, the water appears more grey in colour as it flows down the beach and into the sea.
Emily also shared an image of the sign put up by lifeguards warning beach users of a sewage overflow.
She posted to social media on Saturday with the caption: “Raw sewage pouring onto the beach today in Cornwall.
“Yes, it had rained heavily for about an hour, but this is not acceptable. We need to end sewage pollution now.”
It has since received over 4,700 likes and more than 190 comments from Brits left horrified at the sight.
One wrote: “I think someone needs to collect it, bottle it and send some to the headquarters of the water company with a message advising this is what every swimmer ends up drinking, so perhaps they’d like to try some too.”
A second said: “Try going up the road above the pump station and you will see the river is full of mud and silt that what makes the water brown. Sewage is grey.”
Emily replied: “It was grey. It stank. It was vile. The RNLI lifeguards had put up the red flag and strongly advised us against our planned activities, which we heeded.”
Another commented: “If we diverted that sewage onto the lawns of those responsible. It would stop. Overnight.”
A fourth said: “Being a Cornish person this both breaks my heart and angers me. South West Water should be ashamed, but they’re not.”
Another added: “I sold my surfboard yesterday. This is the reason why. My days in the sea are done.”
Speaking today, a spokesperson for South West Water said: “Recent heavy rainfall has caused some storm overflows in the St Agnes area to activate in line with their permits.
“We know our customers want to see immediate action to reduce the use of storm overflows.
“This is an absolute priority and as part of our investment of £2.8 billion from 2025-2030 we will be the first water company to meet the Government’s target of less than 10 spills a year per overflow by 2040 – 10 years ahead of our 2050 deadline.”
