Statement on bio beads

Update: 20 November 2025

We are monitoring the on-going incident involving bio beads released from a Southern Water treatment plant which have been found on beaches in the area. We are doing regular checking on our beaches with our beach cleaners and the Coastal Maintenance team and have not found large quantities of the beads in Hastings. They are more difficult to spot and remove on the shingle beaches in Hastings than on the sandy beaches in other areas.

Anyone carrying out voluntary beach cleaning should observe normal precautions and avoid going onto restricted areas of land east of Rock-a-Nore. If you spot bio beads on the beach during your normal activities, please take a photograph and make a note of the location, ideally using What3Words, then report it on My Hastings through the beach litter option, and our team will go out and clean the area where possible.

We have asked SW for a commitment to a full assessment of the impact of the spill on our natural environment and a proper restoration and clean-up plan. There is more information about the incident on the Southern Water website, along with some frequently asked questions.

10 November 2025

We are shocked by the admission from Southern Water that the bio beads being washed up on our beaches have been caused by yet another failure of their systems and have raised the following issues in a letter to their Chief Executive: why are bio beads continuing to be used despite two earlier spills from the Eastbourne plant? What quantity have been released? What are they doing to ensure a clean-up operation to stop their further distribution in our waters? What monitoring they will be undertaking to assess the effect on our local wildlife?

We also expect them to monitor the effect on local wildlife. Our Foreshore team have been doing regular checks of the beach for the presence of bio beads, and we know that residents have also been checking. We encourage anyone who finds beads to report them to us through the ‘Report litter on the beach’ option on My Hastings so we can carry out our own checks.

Please be aware if you are on the beach with children or animals as the beads should not be eaten. We will be monitoring the area for any impact on wildlife.