People waved placards condemning Southern Water outside the Stade Hall where the water company was holding a day-long drop-in and information event on Thursday last week (October 13).
Groups taking part included protestors against the pollution of Old Roar Gill in Alexandra Park, Parents For the Future, Boycott Southern Water, Extinction Rebellion and The Clean Water Action Group, which are campaigning against sewage and bathing water quality at Bulverhythe.
One local protestor said: “Old Roar Gill is dead. There is no aquatic life there anymore and you don’t see water birds. This used to be a magical place that has now been ruined. There used to be kingfishers there.”
A spokesperson for the Clean Water Action Group said: “We have been banging our drum for two years now. We continue to test the water and are finding high levels of faecal matter and e-coli. Bulverhythe is a busy area where people have beach huts and fish from the beach, yet it is not designated as a bathing water beach.
A spokesperson for Parents For the Future said: “As a resident I love the sea yet have not swam in it for two years. We have suffered more than any other town on the south coast.”
Myriam Lengline of Sewage Contamination in Alexandra Park and Old Roar Gill, said: “Old Roar Gill is a nature reserve – you would think it would be protected.
"Some dogs were so sick they suffered seizures. We are still seeing nasty coloured water and foam in the gill. This is a beautiful area and we want it to be safe and nurturing for wildlife and people.”
Southern Water’s chief customer officer Katy Taylor said: “Our performance in Hastings over the last two years has not been good enough. It’s important that we understand the impact on our customers and community. We held an event in the town to listen to concerns and be open and honest about what went wrong and how we are improving. We are keen to work closer with our stakeholders, including those at Hastings Borough Council, to deliver the change our customers’ expect. We understand the concerns raised by our customers about our recent performance in the Hastings area. We were there to listen and engage, and we welcomed the opportunity to answer all questions about the steps we are taking to move forwards.”
1. Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023.
Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023. Photo: staff
2. Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023.
Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023. Photo: staff
3. Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023.
Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023. Photo: staff
4. Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023.
Protest outside Southern Water's Your Water Matters event in Hastings Old Town on October 12 2023. Photo: staff