A WATER company has confirmed that sewage has not been emptied near two Dorset beaches in the last 48 hours.

Boscombe Pier and Lulworth Cove had been marked with a ‘Pollution Risk Warning’ on an interactive map by environmental campaign group, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

However, Wessex Water have confirmed that their sewage overflows had not been discharged at the two locations.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our overflows have not discharged in Boscombe and Lulworth in the past 48 hours.

Read more: Interactive map shows sewage released near Dorset beaches in last 48 hours

“Storm overflows are sometimes used during heavy rainstorms to protect properties and roads from sewer flooding by releasing stormwater into watercourses.

“While it’s extremely rare for storm overflows to cause a sewage pollution incident, we’re committed to completely eliminating the discharge of any untreated sewage. Every month we’re investing £3million to reduce storm overflows, starting with those which discharge most frequently or which have any environmental impact.”

Pollution risk forecasts are issued by the Environment Agency (EA). The Daily Echo has contacted the EA to ask what the two warnings in Dorset were issued for.