A water company has come under fire after “sewage” was found on a footpath in an area inundated with flooding.

Sean Macleod, who lives in the area, described the spill as “absolutely horrific” and feared it would affect koi, a type of carp, in a nearby pond.

The spill is on a footpath near the Texaco garage in Avis Way, Newhaven.

It comes as the area, including the A26, has been inundated with flooding following heavy rain.

Sean Macleod, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Ouse Valley and Ringmer, said: “It stinks down there, I am worried it will flow into the Koi pond and kill the fish at Paradise Park.

“It’s pumping out. I feel for Southern Water in some ways because they have just dealt with all this flooding and the water network is a nightmare here. There is no urgency to come and clean up, it’s been going on for four days.

“I think everything is linked, the flooding in Denton, the flooding on the A26. I think there is so much water coming off the Downs that the network has got to a point where it can’t cope anymore.

The Argus: The spillage near Avis Way in NewhavenThe spillage near Avis Way in Newhaven (Image: Sean Macleod)

“To me, this just shows that we haven’t got the infrastructure to cope, yet we keep building houses.”

Southern Water apologised and confirmed it had sent teams to the site.

In a tweet to Cllr Macleod, a spokesman said: “Our teams have attended and continue to investigate.

“They checked the ponds nearby and tested them, which the ammonia reading was zero (indicating no sewage in them).

“The team will clean up the area, if not already done so by now. We do apologise again.”

The Argus: Southern Water has attended the siteSouthern Water has attended the site (Image: Sean Macleod)

Cllr Macleod has raised concern about drainage in the area after nearby Denton Road flooded.

East Sussex County Council hit back at the claims, stating that “there is no issue with the highway drainage system”.

The A26 has faced days of closures due to flooding, although was reopened today after flood water was cleared.

Southern Water has been approached for further comment.