Camber Sands · East Sussex · 2025
BIOBEADS SPILL RESPONSE
In early November 2025, Southern Water became aware that plastic biobeads escaped into the sea off the East Sussex coast following a mechanical failure at Eastbourne sewage treatment works. Nurdle deployed immediately to the worst affected location - Camber Sands. We were there from day one.
The Incident
WHAT HAPPENED?
On 28 October 2025, site operators at the Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works saw that some biobeads used in the wastewater treatment process had escaped from the equipment where the biobeads are held. They isolated the equipment and at this stage did not have any reason to consider that any biobeads had escaped from the equipment into the environment. On 6 November, Southern Water received reports from various sources that beads were washing up at Camber Sands beach, so started carrying out inspections at the site. On 9 November, Southern Water concluded that it was likely that the beads washing up had been released into the environment from the site.
Southern Water estimates that 4.6 tonnes of beads were released.
The beads spread from Eastbourne in East Sussex all the way to St Mary's Bay in Kent, affecting some of England's most ecologically important coastline.
Understanding the Problem
WHAT ARE BIOBEADS?
Most people don't realise that biobeads are used daily in the treatment of our dirty water.
Biobeads are small black plastic pellets, approximately 3-5mm wide, with a rough, dimpled surface that allows bacteria to grow. Inside sewage treatment works, billions of these bacteria break down organic matter in wastewater before it's released, a vital step that protects our rivers and seas from pollution.
They're effective, but have an enviromental impact when they escape. Once in the water they float, spread with the tides, and can wash ashore. Bays like Camber Sands naturally funnel and trap debris, meaning beads accumulate and return after every spring tide.
Our Response
NURDLE WAS THERE FROM DAY ONE
6 November 2025
Nurdle Deployed
Biobeads are confirmed on Camber Sands. Rother District Council immediately commissions Nurdle to lead the specialist microplastic cleanup operation. We arrive with our vacuum equipment the same day. Southern Water fund the beach operations in full.
November 2025
Five Days of Operations
Nurdle spends five intensive days on the beach with specialist vacuum equipment, working alongside council officers and hundreds of community volunteers coming daily from across the region.
December 2025
Spring Tide Returns
Nurdle returns after the first spring tide, when beads wash higher up the beach and become more accessible to remove. This becomes a regular cycle, we return after every spring tide.
February 2026
1.95 Tonnes Collected
Combined cleanup efforts remove 1.95 tonnes of plastic material from the beach, including 1.3 tonnes of biobeads. New large beach screeners are now operating at the site alongside our equipment.
Ongoing
Long-Term Commitment
Over time the washed up biobeads bury themselves in the sand, resurfacing during winter storms and big spring tides. We're now focused on tackling this burial cycle. Southern Water have committed to commissioning Nurdle to return for three years to stay on top of the issue.
The Work
WHAT HAVE WE REMOVED
From the moment biobeads were confirmed on Camber Sands, Nurdle led the specialist response. Using purpose-built vacuum equipment designed to lift plastic pellets from sand and seaweed without disturbing the beach environment, our team worked continuously. We returned after every spring tide as fresh beads washed back in. Southern Water funded the operation in full and deployed over 850 of their own staff and contractors to work alongside us on the ground.
Our vacuum equipment is most effective following spring tides, when beads are pushed further up the beach and easier to recover. Between tides, Nurdle continues to monitor the coastline, coordinate with Rother District Council and environmental partners, and prepare for the next round of removal. The work is expected to continue well into 2026.
Beyond the biobeads themselves, our operation has also cleared a significant volume of other plastics from the beach. This is pollution that without us, would simply have remained.
We are also developing a brand new specialist machine ,purpose-built to take large scale coastal cleanup further than ever before.
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Get Involved
SUPPORT FUTURE CLEANUPS
The ongoing cleanup at Camber Sands is fully funded by Southern Water. BUT, there are countless coastlines, estuaries and rivers across the UK that still need urgent attention. Your donations and volunteer support help Nurdle reach the next location and keep fighting plastic pollution long into the future.
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