Torrential rain across the country has caused emergency sewer overflows to be used, resulting in sewage being pumped into Sussex seas.

This weekend was particularly bad weather-wise, with Sunday being especially stormy, causing emergency sewer overflows to be used. This means sewage has been pumped into the sea at a number locations across the country.

Read more: Parts of UK hit with almost a month’s worth of rain in 48 hours

A map, which is based on live data from the Environment Agency and published by Surfers Against Sewage, shows where an alert has been issued.

The map shows a Brighton and Hove coastal village as one of the affected sites. Head west and a second Sussex beach also has an alert.

Beaches affected by sewage discharges

The Surfers against sewage map has issued a pollution alert for Saltdean beach, stating: “Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours.”

“Alerts for this beach will be triggered by any releases within the Shoreman to Newhaven area.”

The second affected beach is Littlehampton. The pollution alert also states that storm sewage was released in this location within the past two days.

Explaining why an alert might be triggered for this beach, the website states: “One sewer overflow discharges into the mouth of the River Arun while two more discharges 500 meters upstream of the Arun.

“There is a final sewer overflow some 2km to the east of the beach.”

Surfers Against Sewage says the map tracks real-time combined sewage overflows (CSOs) and pollution risk forecasts (PRFs) to bring the latest information.

Read more: Sewage emptied at beaches in the North East

Why is sewage being dumped in the sea?

According to the Environment Agency, the UK has a network of "combined sewer overflows," designed to reduce the risk of sewage backing up during heavy rainfall.

It states that such overflows, often found at beaches, are needed to prevent the "inundation" of sewage works and the potential to flood communities.

It said that as a result, they continue to be a "necessary" part of the existing sewerage system, "preventing" sewage from flooding homes and businesses.

However, Surfers Against Sewage has said it has made the ending of sewage discharge into UK bathing waters by 2030 its ambition.

As a result, it has said alternatives such as "nature based" solutions and Government intervention could be used to help achieve their ultimate goal.