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Thanet beaches closed after sewage spill Thanet beaches closed after sewage spill
(40 minutes later)
More than 20 Kent bathing beaches have been closed after sewage was discharged into the sea.More than 20 Kent bathing beaches have been closed after sewage was discharged into the sea.
The closure of all beaches in Thanet was caused by a failure at the Southern Water Foreness Point Sewage Pumping Station after heavy rain.The closure of all beaches in Thanet was caused by a failure at the Southern Water Foreness Point Sewage Pumping Station after heavy rain.
Spokesman John Crooke said the pumping station discharged water which could otherwise have flooded homes.Spokesman John Crooke said the pumping station discharged water which could otherwise have flooded homes.
Red flags are being flown at the beaches, many of which had recently won Blue Flag awards for cleanliness.Red flags are being flown at the beaches, many of which had recently won Blue Flag awards for cleanliness.
The beachers have been closed since Monday. Visitors have been told not to cross the high tide line. The beaches have been closed since Monday. Visitors have been told not to cross the high tide line.
Thanet District Council said they would stay shut for at least two days as a precautionary measure.Thanet District Council said they would stay shut for at least two days as a precautionary measure.
Last month, it was revealed that Thanet had more Blue Flag beaches than any other area in England.Last month, it was revealed that Thanet had more Blue Flag beaches than any other area in England.
The awards recognise high water quality and facilities.The awards recognise high water quality and facilities.
Beach cleaners and litter pickers are on site whilst officers from the council and representatives from the Environment Agency and Southern Water Services fully assess the situation.Beach cleaners and litter pickers are on site whilst officers from the council and representatives from the Environment Agency and Southern Water Services fully assess the situation.
RNLI Lifeguards are also informing the public of the situation.RNLI Lifeguards are also informing the public of the situation.
Jon Griffin, senior environment officer at the Environment Agency, said it was carrying out an investigation and working with Southern Water and Thanet District Council "to reduce the impact of the spillages as much as possible".Jon Griffin, senior environment officer at the Environment Agency, said it was carrying out an investigation and working with Southern Water and Thanet District Council "to reduce the impact of the spillages as much as possible".
"We will continue to monitor the bathing water quality over the coming days and will advise Thanet District Council accordingly," he said."We will continue to monitor the bathing water quality over the coming days and will advise Thanet District Council accordingly," he said.
Southern Water said the pumping station failed following heavy overnight rain on 30 May.Southern Water said the pumping station failed following heavy overnight rain on 30 May.
"The pumps became blocked and to prevent obviously flooding of the local properties the station then spilled out to the sea," Mr Crooke said."The pumps became blocked and to prevent obviously flooding of the local properties the station then spilled out to the sea," Mr Crooke said.
"Stations are designed to do this if they become overwhelmed by water or if through the failure of the works themselves then the first thing they'll do is spill to the sea.""Stations are designed to do this if they become overwhelmed by water or if through the failure of the works themselves then the first thing they'll do is spill to the sea."