A water firm’s plan to build a huge pipe in a bid to pump sewage further out to sea “is not solving the problem”, campaigners say.

Southern Water is laying down a larger, longer, outfall pipe hundreds of metres off Swalecliffe’s coast, near Whitstable, as part of major upgrade works.

But SOS Whitstable say its construction will not solve the crisis of effluent regularly being discharged off the Kent coast.

Firms are allowed to release a limited amount of sewage during periods of excess rain, but there is also evidence of "dry spills", which can damage the local environment and pose a health risk to swimmers.

Southern was fined a record £90m in 2021 for deliberately dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into the sea.

The company admitted 6,971 illegal spills from 17 sites in Kent, Hampshire, and West Sussex between 2010 and 2015.

Now, it is working to lay down the new outfall pipe following damage to the smaller previous one, with gigantic barges visible from the coast.

Southern bosses argue storm water released from the outfall will be further out to sea and away from beaches and bathing waters – but SOS Whitstable believes more needs to be done.

Founding member Sally Burtt-Jones says the building of a bigger and longer outfall is a “direct consequence” of Conservative MPs voting down the Duke of Wellinghton’s amendment to the Environment Bill in 2021.

“The Duke's amendment called for all water companies to reduce the number of releases year-on-year,” she said.

“But it was replaced with an amendment asking for a reduction in the 'adverse impact' of releases.

“For example, there is no requirement to release less often, just release further out to sea so people are not affected as much.”

SOS Whitstable collected almost 160,000 signatures in a petition in support of the Duke’s amendment.

The group has requested Southern start reporting on the release volume and not just the number, due to the size of the new pipe.

“Sending it further out to sea is not solving the problem,” she added.

“It will not improve any negative impacts on biodiversity and ultimately it is leaving it for the next generation to solve.

“Here in Whitstable, we live in a tidal area, and what happens when the tide goes out? It comes back in again and brings whatever has been released back in with it.”

The overflow releases are designed to legally discharge excess sewage and rainwater into rivers and the sea when under strain to prevent sewers from becoming overloaded and backing up into homes.

Southern Water says the releases are made up of 95% rainwater and are permitted by the Environment Agency.

Jon Yates, Southern Water's Pathfinder delivery lead, says reducing storm overflows is the firm’s “number one priority” and is why it launched its £1.5 billion Clean Rivers and Seas plan.

“We are currently exploring nature-based and engineering solutions to find the best way to reduce spills, and Whitstable is at the centre of this work,” he said.

“We have spent £25 million to upgrade and optimise our Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works.

“We are also continuing to roll out a range of sustainable drainage schemes including the installation of more than 1,000 free, slow drain water butts on homes, as well as the introduction of rain gardens and tree pits to divert or slow the flow of water entering our sewers.

“We are also keen to continue working closely with local groups on Citizen Science programmes to take bathing water samples throughout the year and we are doing this with SOS Whitstable and Canterbury City Council.”

Construction of the pipeline began after Easter, starting inside the treatment works and working towards the beach.

A diversion along the esplanade is in place until September 2024 to allow a section of the sea wall to be removed to install the pipeline, which will be three metres wide and constructed of concrete.

Piling started on April 17 and will last for 24 days. It will also take place from June 14 for 15 days.

Southern Water says it will be intermittent and last for about 30% of the working day.

The firm will then work on the beach whenever the tide is out and there is daylight, which will last 22 weeks.

The project is due to be completed by the end of this year.