Our popular seaside town’s water has turned BROWN and no one knows why – we’re baffled
RESIDENTS of a popular seaside town are baffled as the water along their pretty coastline has turned brown.
Drone footage shows dirty brown water lapping the shores of a Kent beauty spot that is usually known for its glimmering turquoise waters.
The video footage of Herne Bay was captured on Tuesday and shows the discoloured water with what appears to be a white foam-like substance floating on the surface.
Southern Water said the unusual colour appeared to be caused by a “stirring of sediment” that came from a nearby stream outfall pipe and “occurred naturally” and has launched an investigation, reports Mail Online.
It is not the only coastal town to be struck with murky waters, just one mile along the coast Whitstable, which is another favourite among tourists is also seeing a change, something that Southern Water has also linked to sediment.
The water company says it is “working hard” to reduce the use of storm overflows at Whitstable and is investing £25 million on upgrades to the Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment works.
The video sparked fierce debate on Twitter after campaign group SOS Whitstable posted the footage and asked their followers: “Would you swim in this?”
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The group who state on their Facebook page that it is their “Mission to put pressure on Southern Water to make urgent improvements to Swalecliffe waste” called for the water company to provide an explanation.
Southern Water said in a statement: “The water visible in the footage uploaded in Whitstable Harbour is from a surface water pipe at Gorrell Tank, which includes run-off following rainfall.
“This is not a storm overflow and contains no wastewater.
“The run-off picks up silt and sediment, causing discolouration.
They added: “The pipe is used twice a day, and protects homes and local businesses from flooding.”