SEWAGE has been released into the sea at three Dorset beaches in the last 24 hours.
Wessex Water’s coast and rivers watch service confirmed that sewage was discharged at Hengistbury West in Bournemouth, Rockley Sands in Poole Harbour and Swanage.
The storm overflows, which function automatically, follow heavy rain and thunderstorms this week.
Today, the Met Office has issued another yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in the BCP area, which will be in place from 8pm this evening until 6am tomorrow.
READ MORE: Met Office yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in BCP
Wessex Water says that the overflows are necessary to protect properties from flooding and to prevent sewage from overflowing into streets and homes.
As previously reported, a spokesperson for the water company said: “Storm overflows are permitted by the Environment Agency and operate automatically, releasing mostly stormwater during or after intense rainfall to prevent flooding in people’s homes.
“Wessex Water is the only UK water and sewerage company to provide overflow discharge alerts 365 days a year, with complete coverage of all bathing waters in our area, and we notify Surfers Against Sewage ourselves.
“Every month we’re investing £3 million on storm overflows, starting with those that discharge most frequently or have any environmental impact.”
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