Southern Water is currently investigating the significant presence of contaminated plastic beads that have washed up on Camber Sands beach in East Sussex. Local authorities and environmental advocates have raised concerns about the potential threat these biobeads pose to marine life, emphasizing that rare species such as seabirds, porpoises, and seals may ingest them.
Helena Dollimore, the MP for Hastings and Rye, has suggested that a local water treatment facility may be responsible for the contamination. She has reached out to Southern Water’s chief executive, Lawrence Gosden, seeking clarification on the situation. Camber Sands is a well-known beach, notable for its unique dune habitat and extensive sandy areas.
Volunteers have mobilized to clear the beads, filling numerous bags with plastic waste. However, the quantity of debris is substantial, making it improbable that they can eliminate all of it. Andy Dinsdale from the plastic pollution campaign group Strandliners expressed concerns about the impact on marine animals, explaining that ingested plastic can lead to severe health issues.
Dollimore has noted an increase in dead marine life along the beach, urging Southern Water to determine whether their wastewater facilities contributed to the spill, and requesting that they allocate resources to the ongoing clean-up efforts. The beads have also been flagged as hazardous to dogs due to their toxic chemical components, which include substances known for carcinogenic properties.
A spokesperson for Southern Water stated that they are collaborating with the Environment Agency and Rother District Council to identify the source of the beads. They have also indicated that water quality sampling conducted at the beach has not revealed any adverse impacts on environmental conditions, a finding that has been communicated to relevant authorities. The Environment Agency has been approached for further comment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/08/environmental-catastrophe-fears-as-millions-of-plastic-beads-wash-up-on-camber-sands