CONCERNS have been raised over the sewage system in Beaminster after sewage was discharged for two hours in total on one day last month.

The discharge of raw sewage was reported by water firm Wessex Water on the coast and rivers watch map on its website.

Sewage discharges are the release of raw, untreated sewage into watercourses, such as rivers.

These discharges often take place through storm overflow valves and are designed to release water from the sewer network when the volume of water is too great for it.

Two discharges took place at Beaminster Southgate on Sunday, August 25, one between 8.15am and 10am and another between 11am and 11.15am.

The location is next to the A3066 Southgate in Beaminster and leads into the River Brit.

Cllr Craig Monks, a Dorset Council councillor for Beaminster, said: "The recent sewage overflows that affected Beaminster deeply concerns me, but does not surprise me.

"Beaminster much like many other Dorset towns has an ageing sewage system that is being placed under further pressure with local development and lack of investment.

"I recently put this very issue to the leader of the council Cllr Nick Ireland at council.

"Despite much that was made at the local elections the reality was confirmed by Cllr Ireland that Dorset Council lacks any powers to act on this issue.

"However, I was happy to hear that representatives from Wessex Water and others will be invited to attend a future scrutiny meeting where I and others can work together on this issue.

"Currently Beaminster relies on a pumping station to hold wastewater with high rainfall.

"However, it's very clear that much more needs to be done in Beaminster and West Dorset.

"I am pleased that councillors of all colours are on the same page with this vital local issue.

"After campaigning in local and national elections on this issue I along with my residents expect results and I will be campaigning to ensure we now see actions over leaflets."

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Our licensed storm overflows operate automatically, releasing mostly rainwater to protect properties from flooding.

"But while the environmental impact is minimal, we believe that storm overflows are outdated.

“This is why we are investing £3 million a month to update the sewerage system and reduce overflows from operating  - and we are planning to more than double our investment in this area during 2025-2030, subject to approval from our regulator, Ofwat.

“More widely, rain should be valued as a resource and where possible used and returned to the environment as close to where it falls, rather than being able to mix with flows in sewers as it currently does from the majority of the country’s properties and roads.”