Residents who have endured months of unpleasant smells from Langney Point Wastewater Treatment Works will get the chance to question Southern Water's bosses directly at a public meeting on 5th February. Sovereign Ward Councillor Kshama Shore secured the meeting after persistent campaigning by local residents and councillors since the problems began before Easter.
2025 has been the worst year so far for unpleasant smells escaping from the treatment works. Residents of Langney Point and Sovereign Harbour have been lodging numerous complaints about the all pervading stench spreading far beyond the immediate locality, depending on wind direction.
Cllr Shore has been pursuing Southern Water and Eastbourne Borough Council for serious action since early July 2025. At a public meeting in August, Southern Water accepted that there had been a lack of essential maintenance over many years, which resulted in the failure of a fully functioning water treatment plant.
Councillors kept up the pressure on Eastbourne Borough Council, who eventually served an Abatement Notice under the Environmental Protection Act, requiring Southern Water to stop the smells.
Southern Water have now invested nearly £1 million in repairs, with work on two of the three odour control units complete and work on the third starting in early January 2026.
Cllr Shore said: "Residents have had to put up with disgusting smells for far too long. Southern Water didn't act fast enough when we told them the odour had become a serious problem. I'm pleased we've secured this public meeting where residents can hear updates and question Southern Water's bosses directly. This is your chance to make your voice heard."
The meeting takes place on Thursday 5th February at 6pm at the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre. Residents can register at https://re-url.uk/WJ98
