Who in Authority Knows?

The East Kent Health Authority (EKHA) report to roc on health risk assessment at Margate beaches arising from the planned extension to

F oreness sewage works states, '"The extension proposed by Southern Water would allow only completely treated waste water to be discharged atsea...". This is taken from right out of the mouth of Southern Water who also said that '"the system (planned for Foreness) is the best available". DEFRA inform us that the sight of sanitary detritus regularly beached west ofMargate main sands "does not constitute a problem". Southern Water has since acknowledged the problem. The Secretary of State for the Environment said the F oreness works '"is not an environmental problem ". The. Environment Agency said that our figures on the putative analysis of the frequency of storm sewage discharges '"are not correct". Every one of these statements is shown by the FEA to be either grossly misleading or factually false. Probably many were made through incompetence rather than intent. But who in authority knows the truth, and what of the damaging outcome to our cause?

Southern Water had also said, but since denied that "Weatherlees is our preferred site for the extension ". Southern Water originally wanted to acquire 1.7 acres of clifftop land at Foreness, now they want 10 acres.

Both TDC and KCC had said that health risk is not a material consideration when decision taking on the plan. The Government Office of the South East has since told us differently. But it came too late.

The TDC Policy Committee said that even when they believe the FEA to be right on certain issues, they can only stand by information given them via the Environment Agency and EKHA.

In its conclusions, the EKHA abysmal report gives a "low risk" for infection on our beaches but ignores a "very high risk" forewarning given for beaches impacted with storm sewage discharge by the World Health Organisation (1998).