Nearly a quarter of swimmers are put off because of sewage in the sea

Nearly a quarter of swimmers are put off taking a dip in the sea because of sewage dumping by water companies

• Quarter of beachgoers said they were less likely to visit seaside this summer
• READ MORE: Revealed: 83 beaches Britons are warned to avoid due to SEWAGE

Almost a quarter of people who swim in the sea are being put off because of sewage dumping, according to a poll.

Just over 30 per cent of adults said they swim in the sea during summer and of these 23 per cent said they will not this year due to water companies’ behaviour.

The poll, carried out for the Liberal Democrats, also found that 43 per cent of regular beachgoers said they were less likely to visit the British seaside this summer because of sewage discharges.

The poll, carried out for the Liberal Democrats, also found that 43 per cent of regular beachgoers said they were less likely to visit the British seaside this summer because of sewage discharges (file image)

The party’s environment spokesman Tim Farron said: ‘Sewage dumping by water companies is ruining the British beach holiday.’ 

The Lib Dems want sewage dumps on Blue Flag beaches banned.

But a Government spokesman said: ‘Banning discharges overnight without any plan to fix storm overflows is reckless and would see sewage backing up into people’s homes and the street.’

A Water UK spokesman said that, because of investment, seven out of ten beaches had excellent water standards, up from one out of ten in the 1990s.

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