Who are SOS Whitstable?

SOS Whitstable are a group of ten sea-swimmers from the north Kent coast who fight against sewage pollution in the south-east of England and beyond.

In August 2021, they formed after a public meeting where Southern Water provided insufficient information or solutions regarding sewage pollution's impact on swimmers' health, biodiversity, and the local economy, specifically the oyster and fisheries industry that are synonymous with Whitstable.

Starting with a local focus, they gained national recognition and press coverage by publishing two petitions with 466,000+ signatures, holding three protests that drew thousands, and persistently pressuring the water industry, regulatory bodies, and politicians to improve sewage pollution.

Their current members are: Amber Ferguson, Ben Peilow, Bryony Carter, Catherine Chapman, Ed Acteson, Elane Heffernan, Rebecca Martin, Robin Bartlett, Rose Bircham & Sal Burtt-Jones.

SOS Whitstable are one of the founding members of the Sewage Campaign Network, a collective of independent campaign groups who are holding the government to account, and working hard to bring water back into public ownership.