We have been alerted by Southern Water to an incident at the Margate Wastewater Pumping Station following a lightning strike overnight (Thursday 17 June).

As a result of this incident wastewater was released via the emergency outfall of the Southern Water pumping station at Foreness.

In liaison with the Environment Agency, the council is advising members of the public not to enter the sea or the area of beach below the high water mark on bays between Margate Main Sands and Joss Bay.

This includes:

• Margate Main Sands
• Walpole Bay
• Palm Bay
• Foreness
• Botany Bay
• Kingsgate Bay
• Joss Bay

Signs have been placed on these bays to inform beach users.

Southern Water has confirmed that the pumping station is now operating as it should and it will continue to be closely monitored.

A clean up operation is now underway.

We will continue to work closely with all of the agencies involved to understand the impacts of this incident and the Environment Agency will be carrying out water quality testing to inform the next steps. We will keep members of the public informed.

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