Streams running through a Kent village were polluted on almost 250 occasions last year, shocking new data reveals.
The wastewater and sewage treatment works in Hawkhurst, between Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells, released overflows into streams more than anywhere else in Kent during 2023, according to the Environment Agency.
Figures show 165 spills were made into the Hexden Channel from the Hawkhurst North wastewater site across 3,056 hours, while sewage was spilt from another treatment centre into the Hawkhurst South Stream 82 times across 925 hours.
When combined, that’s 247 spills last year, making it the worst affected area in Kent with a release every one and a half days.
The alarming figures have been revealed as a day of protests against sewage releases are taking place across the country today – including in Hythe.
Southern Water, which is responsible for all wastewater in the county, says improvements are on the cards for some of the worst affected sites.
It says £2.1m of investment at Hawkhurst South treatment works is outlined for the next five-year business period as part of its £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan.
But business owners in the village were taken aback by the startling number of spills when informed by KentOnline yesterday.
Jan Frampton, who runs the Croft Glass office, said: “It’s quite a surprise. I never would have known we had that many.
“I’m surprised because nothing ever gets mentioned about it.
“The water companies should be a bit more open about this stuff.”
Equally concerned was Harry Cox, manager of The Royal Oak Hotel next door.
“I don’t understand why Hawkhurst is the worst. It is surprising to hear that,” he said.
“We often take our dog out for a walk around here, so anything that is potentially harmful for dogs and small children is concerning.
“They have kept it well under wraps. Transparency is always good for the local community.
“It has never disturbed us or the business, but they really need to look into why this is going on and who needs to fix it.”
Megan Calcutt, manager at clothing boutique Cordelia James, says it is “dreadful news” for the village.
“I knew it was happening around us but I didn’t realise Hawkhurst had the most,” she said.
“They need to look into how to prevent this, especially with the amount companies charge us.
“They should use our money to invest in proper infrastructure.
“It’s concerning because a lot of people pride themselves on the fact we live in the beautiful countryside here. There is lots of wildlife around.”
Lindsay Barrow, who has owned a florist along Rye Road for 22 years, says more needs to be done to stop this from happening again.
She said: “That’s an awful lot of leaks. It’s serious and concerning for the local environment and wildlife.
“It is almost like we are the forgotten village. I hope they get it sorted out.”
On top of the 165 spills from Hawkhurst North, the Hexden Channel also suffered spills from the Sandhurst wastewater treatment works on 111 occasions.
Members of Tenterden Angling Club regularly fish along the waterway.
Its chair, Stephen Ryan, said: “Hexden is a fishing location highly valued by our over 200 members.
“It is part of a water network that comprises our club waters that is particularly sensitive to pollution events.
“Indeed there have been at least three major pollution events during my membership participation that have led to devastating fish kills and resulted in fault being attributed and significant damages incurred.
“However it is still upsetting to see the impact these fish kills have on the wider environment and the time it takes for their recovery to anything like their former glories.”
Meanwhile on the coast, Swalecliffe, between Whitstable and Herne Bay, was the second most impacted area.
Figures show waste was discharged into the North Sea from the treatment works 118 times over more than 923 hours in 2023.
It comes as Southern Water has invested £750,000 into upgrades to the site which were completed at the end of the year in a bid to reduce releases by almost a third.
It was part of a wider £25 million investment at the facility, which followed criticism of the firm for presiding over a series of sewage spills.
A spokesman for SOS Whitstable previously told KentOnline: “It’s hugely disappointing to see the spills increasing year-on-year, and it’s especially worrying when you consider the new housing developments and continuing climate change forecasts that are yet to come.”
Waste releases have become such a problem, that protesters from Surfers Against Sewage are taking to Hythe today (Saturday) in a bid to call for action to end sewage pollution.
The “paddle-out” protest, in which people will demonstrate with surfboards and placards in the sea, is starting at 10.30am near Seapoint Canoe Centre on Princes Parade.
It is one of 30 taking place across the UK.
The chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, Giles Bristow, said: “Once again, the public faces a grim choice this summer – risk swallowing faeces or forgo a dip in the water.
“This year offers an opportunity to turn our collective anger into action and end the sewage scandal, with panicked politicians in listening mode, desperate to ride the waves of popular sentiment.
“A general election is imminent, and the public is out on the beach fronts and riverbanks making it clear that the issue of sewage pollution is at the top of the agenda.
“Ahead of the election, all parties need to show people genuine and quantifiable commitments to eliminate sewage pollution, or suffer the consequences.”
Sarah Kennett who previously organised a protest on Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone will be taking part in today’s demonstration.
She hopes something will be done to stop overspills as water sport enthusiasts are fed up with hearing excuses for the poor water quality.
“Loads of us who use the water are very aware of what’s happening with the sewage being dumped all of the time,” she explained.
“Everybody is sick of it and we need to raise awareness of what is happening.”
Next month, regulator Ofwat will deliver recommendations on water companies’ investment plans for the next five years (2025 – 2030).
Water companies have proposed plans for £11 billion in investment for reducing sewage discharges for this period, with customer bills increasing in tandem.
The damage from sewage can also been seen as the number of Kent beaches awarded an acclaimed Blue Flag has been slashed this year.
Thanet’s Margate Main Sands and Stone Bay missed out on the accolade this year, as did the Leas in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey.
It brings the total number of Blue Flag beaches to six following the latest round of inspections – compared to nine last year.
A spokesperson from Kent Wildlife Trust said: “Sewage has a huge impact on the animals and plants living in waterways and contributes to the deaths of many species.
“High nitrate and phosphate levels from sewage have a damaging effect on shoreline biodiversity and can aid the spread of more resilient invasive species.
“The most recent State of Nature in Kent Report concluded that a staggering 113 water bodies out of 124 were recorded as being in poor condition. The report also said that water industry discharges are the biggest contributor of phosphorus to Kent’s rivers and lakes.”
In response to the figures, the director for wastewater operations at Southern Water, John Penicud, said: “Slashing the number of storm releases is a top priority for us – and our customers.
“Last November we announced our £1.5 billion storm overflow reduction plan which will combine innovative engineering with nature-based solutions.
“The past 18 months have been the rainiest since records began.
“The ground was utterly waterlogged in many areas, inundating our own sewers and customers’ drains and sewers.
“We’re extensively relining sewers, to keep sewage in and rainwater out, and our storm release reduction pilot schemes have already proved that nature-based systems can have a real impact.”
The true number of spills could be even higher. The number of discharges is counted using the 12/24 counting method.
According to gov.uk, this means the water companies start counting when the first discharge occurs. Any discharge (or discharges) in the first 12-hour block are counted as one spill. Any discharge (or discharges) in the next, and subsequent 24-hour blocks, are each counted as one additional spill per block
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