By Abbas Nazil
Millions of tiny plastic beads have washed up on Camber Sands beach in East Sussex, sparking fears of an environmental catastrophe and prompting urgent investigations by Southern Water and the Environment Agency.
The pollution, described as the worst the region has ever seen, involves contaminated “biobeads” suspected to have leaked from a local water treatment facility.
These plastic pellets, used in wastewater filtration, pose severe risks to marine life, including seabirds, seals, and porpoises, which may mistake them for food.
Helena Dollimore, the Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye, has written to Southern Water’s chief executive, Lawrence Gosden, demanding an explanation and immediate accountability.
She warned that the spill threatens rare wildlife and fragile coastal habitats, calling for the company to dedicate all available resources to cleanup efforts.
Volunteers and local organizations, including the pollution campaign group Strandliners, have been working tirelessly to remove the beads.
Andy Dinsdale of Strandliners described the spill as the worst pollution event he had ever witnessed, noting that the beads are so small they blend into the sand, making full cleanup nearly impossible.
He said marine animals could ingest the pellets, which attract algae and resemble food, leading to fatal consequences.
The biobeads also pose risks to domestic animals, containing harmful substances such as lead, antimony, bromine, and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Southern Water confirmed it is collaborating with the Environment Agency and Rother District Council to trace the source of the pollution and assist in cleanup operations using suction equipment.
Preliminary water quality tests have shown no significant environmental contamination, though investigations remain ongoing.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said contractors are carrying out cleanup work and efforts are underway to determine the cause of the spill.
Authorities have urged continued vigilance as thousands of beads remain embedded across the beach, threatening long-term ecological damage.
