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Digital sewers save Sussex river from pollution

Wednesday, 30 July 2025 06:00

A high-tech alert system hidden beneath Seddlescombe has helped prevent a major pollution incident on the River Brede.

Southern Water says a sewer in the village was at risk of overflowing due to a build-up of fat, oil, grease, and so-called ‘unflushables’.

But thanks to AI-powered sensors, engineers received an early warning, which meant the blockage was cleared before it could flood homes and gardens or harm the nearby river.

Daniel McElhinney, Proactive Operations Control Manager at Southern Water, said:

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