WORK to remove the word “poo” from several signs across Poole is underway. 

Poole residents and activists Joe Foale-Groves and Gagandeep Jhuti claimed to have targeted signs with the name of the town by obstructing the letters L and E. 

More than 20 signs across the town were changed as part of their campaign to bring awareness to sewage spills in the sea. 

Andy Hadley, cabinet member for the climate response and environment, said: “Our teams are in the process of checking all ‘Borough of Poole’ signage and will remove the stickers that have been used to cover up parts of them.” 

(Image: BCP Council)

BCP Council’s spokesman added the authority is “working with Wessex Water to reduce stormwater entering the sewerage system, and householders can help by looking at ways of limiting rainwater runoff from their properties”. 

Earlier this month, BCP Council launched a new app called SeaCheck with Wessex Water and the tech companies UnifAI and Iknaia. 

Funded by the Government, the web app uses cutting-edge technology and detailed data collection to deliver accurate, near real-time and predictive air and sea temperature, wind speed and wave height information all year-round. 

It means beach goers will be able to make informed decisions before entering the water to swim or take part in leisure activities such as paddling or surfing. 

(Image: Daily Echo)

Wessex Water’s spokesman said its new £30m project to upgrade Bournemouth’s Holdenhurst Water Recycling Centre promises to increase sewage treatment capacity to “further protect” the beaches. 

He said: “Storm overflows operate automatically, releasing mostly rainwater into the sea to prevent flooding, and discharges increased in 2023 because it was the fourth wettest year since our records began. 

“We agree that storm overflows are outdated and we’re spending more than £3 million every month to progressively improve them, alongside record investment in sewerage infrastructure and water quality monitoring.” 

Data from the Environment Agency shows sewage from storm overflows was flowing into water bodies in Dorset for 78,522 hours in 2023, during 7,334 spills.  

This was up from 29,675 hours recorded the year before, when there were 3,941 spills in the area.