On Friday (March 6), residents reported seeing two tankers pumping water near the stream off Cuckfield Road, near Hurstpierpoint.
One resident described the water as “very brown and murky”, raising concerns about the work being carried out.
However, Southern Water has confirmed that tankers are on site following a burst sewage pipe and are discharging into a downstream manhole. It said this will not go into the waterway, but directly into the manhole where it will be sent for treatment.
Southern Water are currently undertaking works to fix a burst sewage pipe which polluted Pook Bourne, a stream near Burgess Hill (Image: Simon Carey)
A spokeswoman for Southern Water said: “While our teams work to repair a sewage pipe on Malthouse Lane tankers are on site to help with flows, including releasing into a manhole next to the stream off Cuckfield Road.
“These flows are not going into the waterway but directly into the manhole for treatment at our works”
She added: “We apologise to residents and commuters for the disruption caused while we carry out the repair. We are working as quickly as we can and thank those affected for their patience and understanding.”
Last week, the Environment Agency confirmed that the incident polluted Pook Bourne, a stream near Burgess Hill, and an area of woodland.
MP Alison Bennett shared her anger at the situation (Image: Alison Bennett)
She said: “This burst pipe had been leaking sewage into a beautiful stream and woodland for days before Southern acted, significantly impacting Pook Bourne and Pangdean Lane Meadows.
“I am really concerned about the damage this has done to our environment and waterways, as well as the impact that these disruptions are having on residents.
“It is also worrying to learn that resilience repairs had recently been carried out on the site following previous bursts in the area.”
Southern Water apologised to residents for any disruption and said that the burst was “unrelated to repairs carried out in the past to this pipe”.
The Environment Agency said it is “closely monitoring Southern Water’s clean up and repairs to the broken pipe”.
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