help stop sewage with surfers against sewage map

​Our oceans and coastal waters are under constant threat from water companies that continue to discharge raw sewage directly into the sea, often in areas where we swim, surf, and spend time with family. These illegal and harmful sewage dumps pollute our precious marine environments and pose serious health risks, exposing us to harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites every time we enter the water.

check the sas sewage map before you swim...

​Before you head to the beach, check out the Surfers Against Sewage live map linked on our page. This tool helps you find cleaner swimming areas that are free from raw sewage discharges. Stay safe, protect our oceans, and join us in demanding cleaner seas for everyone. Together, we can stop the sewage and protect what we love.

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risks of swimming in raw sewage

Swimming in raw sewage is really bad for your health because of the bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemicals in the water. When untreated sewage gets released into the ocean or rivers it contaminates the water and exposes swimmers to all sorts of illnesses and infections. The main risks are:

• Gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever from swallowing water with E. coli, norovirus, salmonella and other pathogens.
• Skin, eye and ear infections from touching polluted water, resulting in rashes, itching, redness, earaches and eye irritation if you have open cuts or wounds.
• Respiratory infections from breathing in water droplets or mist from contaminated water which can exacerbate conditions like asthma or cause respiratory illness.
• Serious infections and diseases like Hepatitis A, Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease), and parasitic infections like Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis which can be life threatening.
• Long term environmental impacts because raw sewage also harms marine ecosystems, kills wildlife and contributes to antibiotic resistance.

Please don’t swim in sewage contaminated water. Always check local water quality reports or live sewage maps before swimming or water sports. Find clean fresh water to enjoy happy swimming!

help end sewage pollution in our waters!

The discharge of raw sewage into our oceans and swimming areas is not just an environmental disaster — it’s a public health issue that puts swimmers, surfers and local communities at risk. From stomach bugs to life threatening diseases, the risks from sewage pollution are real and avoidable. We all have a part to play in demanding change. And before you hit the beach, check the Surfers Against Sewage live map link above to find cleaner beaches to swim, you can also join or donate ​to this great cause. Together we can save our beaches, our health and our environment from the ongoing sewage pollution.