Residents gathered to discuss alarming water quality issues at Deal beach after a do-not-swim warning was issued due to pollution.
Deal: The community is buzzing after a big public meeting about the water quality at Deal Castle Beach. Folks are really upset after the beach got a “poor” rating, which means swimming is off-limits due to high pollution levels.
About 130 locals showed up, braving the cold, to kick off a new campaign group called Save Our Seas. They’re determined to tackle the pollution problem head-on. One resident even suggested a protest on the beach!
People are frustrated. Some are even thinking about not paying their water bills. The beach’s poor rating is due to high levels of E. coli, which is a health risk for swimmers. It’s a real bummer because Deal beach used to be rated “excellent” just a few years ago.
At the meeting, Sarah Waite-Gleave, a Green party member, was impressed by the turnout. She said it shows how much people care about the water quality. The group is pushing for better monitoring and action from local authorities to fix the pollution issues.
They’ve even started an online petition that’s already gathered over 650 signatures. The community is rallying together, wanting to make sure their voices are heard. They’re calling for more testing and upgrades to the water infrastructure to prevent future pollution spikes.
It’s not just about swimming; it’s about the local economy too. The poor water quality is affecting tourism and local businesses. The mayor of Deal expressed how vital the sea is to the community, saying it’s devastating to see the beach in such a state.
There’s hope, though. The Environment Agency mentioned that the pollution spike was likely a short-term issue, and if tests show normal results, the beach could improve its rating soon. But for now, the community is united in their fight for cleaner waters.
