Worthing council backs independent year-round seawater quality testing

Worthing Borough Council has backed proposals calling for independent, year-round seawater quality testing, with Southern Water asked to help fund monitoring carried out by organisations unaffiliated with the company.

The measures form part of a strengthened motion proposed by Councillor Martin McCabe, cabinet member for the environment.

The amended motion calls for testing and interpretation to be conducted independently of Southern Water. It also urges the Environment Agency to consider extending monitoring beyond the statutory bathing season. West Sussex County Council’s responsibilities for highway drainage and surface water runoff will also be examined as part of efforts to identify potential sources of pollution affecting bathing waters.

Councillor McCabe said residents deserved reliable testing rather than results controlled by the water company itself. He stressed that tackling pollution required examining all potential sources, including runoff from roads, and holding relevant organisations accountable. The motion also recognises existing independent testing, citizen science projects and investigations into pollution sources in Worthing.