Sea water clean-up urged

The town council's environment and leisure committee agreed to write to Southern Water, which treats the town's sewage, asking what action it would take to make the sea cleaner.

As reported, Bognor has lost its Blue Flag after this summer's water testing failed the high European standards needed to qualify for the award.

The reason is thought to be the wet summer in which excess rainfall runs off the streets straight into the sea taking pollutants with it.

The situation could soon get more serious for Bognor with Blue Flag standards becoming tougher next year, and summer weather predicted to become more extreme.

Committee chairman Cllr Rob Gillibrand said the Blue Flag was important to Bognor's image as a tourism resort.

'We want to know what plans Southern Water have to increase the capacity of the stormwater system given that increased rainfall is likely for the future.'