news release
    18th December 2003

A Surfers Against Sewage ‘Santa’ made a special delivery of UV style lights to a surprised Southern Water Chief Executive Stuart Derwent yesterday following the recent decision by the company not to provide Brighton with the best sewage and wastewater treatment system. Santa was joined by some tinselled up surfers - all angered by the company’s decision not to include UV light disinfection to the proposed new plant at Peacehaven.

With the equivalent of 80 Olympic sized swimming pools of raw sewage being pumped into the ocean off Brighton each day a modern sewage treatment works is needed now more than ever. Any beach resort in the UK that does not benefit from the best technology available will be at a distinct disadvantage in the future in attracting visitors to its bathing waters.

Many of Britain’s top bathing resorts are benefiting from UV disinfection with bathers, surfers, windsurfers, sailors and divers all benefiting from increased health protection. Those choosing to use the water for recreational water use in Brighton will continue to face health risks without a full treatment policy. The reality of modern day sewage treatment is that nothing other than full sewage treatment can kill the viruses and bacteria that thrive in poorly treated sewage effluent discharged to sea.

Richard Gregory, SAS Director and Brighton spokesman says: "By not incorporating UV, Southern Water has shown no seasonal goodwill to the residents of Brighton. It’s only their shareholders that will be celebrating this Christmas with bigger dividends at the expense of the environment. Our new years resolution has come early this year – ‘to ensure Brighton gets UV!".

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