An investigation has been launched into giant “fat balls” washed up on a beach.
Campaigners fear the balls of congealed fat are a risk to the lives of animals and children.
Sea swimmers and dog walkers have reported lumps more than a foot wide along the tide line in Saltdean.
Unsure of exactly what the mystery mass is, samples of the potentially contaminated balls have been collected and the Environment Agency is now investigating.
June Jarvis, of Bannings Vale, Saltdean, collected an Isle of Wight-shaped lump of fat from the beach.
She believes the waste is originating from the outfall pipe at Southern Water’s underground Portobello pump station in Telscombe Cliffs.
A spokesman for the Worthing-based firm would not comment directly on the claims but said: “Beaches and sea water quality are affected by a range of factors, including run-off from industry and agriculture, waste from boats and run-off from roads.”
Concern
Mrs Jarvis said: “It’s a huge concern.
“I’ve spoken to a local vet and she says there are quite a few dogs being brought in with sickness after playing on the beach.
“One lady claims her dog has even died from it. What happens if a child gets near there?”
Christine Carruthers, 69, of Westfield Avenue South, Saltdean, has been swimming off the coast for 50 years.
She said: “They are definitely becoming more common.
“On certain days they are littered on the beach, from Telscombe to Saltdean, but they very quickly get broken up by rough seas.”
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “An investigation into the incident is under way.”
Currently 95 million litres of waste water a day from the Brighton and Hove area receives basic treatment before it is pumped out to sea in a 1.8km pipe.
A new 2.5km pipe is being built at Portobello as part of a £300 million Cleaner Seas for Sussex project and is expected to be open by 2013.
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