A number of plastic pellets have washed up on beaches in the south of England in recent days, with the pollution “very likely” caused by an incident at a sewage treatment plant, the local water company admitted on Monday.
Southern Water, a private company responsible for wastewater collection and treatment in parts of the south, said it was “deeply sorry” for the dumping of these components, which were scattered on beaches including Camber Sands, and numbered in the “millions” according to an environmental organization.
“The beads most likely came from our Eastbourne wastewater treatment plant,” about fifty kilometers to the west on the coast, the company said in a press release. “We identified a screen filter failure that, in the event of heavy rain, would cause the beads to be released into the sea,” he explained.
The Environment Agency is carrying out a “thorough investigation” and “considering what regulatory action to take”, said junior water minister Emma Hardy. Local organization Strandliners, which fights against plastic pollution, said this was the “worst case of plastic pellet pollution” ever seen in the region.
These several millimeter-sized black beads, which are used to filter bacteria in treatment plant water, are very difficult to remove once mixed with sand and algae. “The impact on the environment and local wildlife could be catastrophic. Birds and marine animals can easily mistake these toxic pellets for food,” Strandliners warns.
Its director, Andy Dinsdale, put their number in the “millions” in an article in the Guardian.
Rother County Council, which is leading the clean-up operation, said it hoped most of the pellets would be removed by Monday after several days of voluntary and professional efforts, but noted that the pellets would continue to settle with the flow of water.
Like most people, we are concerned about plastic beads at Camber Sands. After a quick investigation, we believe the items may have come from the Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works following a filter failure during heavy rain. We are truly sorry and committed to cleaning up. https://t.co/8Z3MzSmzOe pic.twitter.com/WeSR6Y6OWv
— Southern Water (@Southern Water) November 10, 2025
For years, UK water companies have been criticized for dumping wastewater into seas and rivers, and for a lack of investment in their infrastructure.
The government has tightened sanctions against employers if they do not respect the law, and this summer announced reforms to the sector’s regulatory bodies.
