An under-fire utility firm has blamed its poor water high quality on seagull poo.

Southern Water has claimed seagull waste might be the explanation why exams had proven a drop in water high quality.

The drop in water high quality led to the Environment Agency issuing a warning to folks to not swim within the space.

Portsmouth Council stated they have been at present investigating the issue with Southern Water and are taking a look at different potential causes for the issue.

It can be wanting on the firm’s sewage outfall at Canoe Lake and leaks from different pipes.

In an announcement, Southern Water stated: “Seagulls are roosting under the pier which can be a problem.

“We have to speciate the E.coli; by looking at the samples we can find out the type of animal source it comes from.”

Meanwhile, Portsmouth Council stated the impression of the discharge of sewage by Southern Water was an “obvious and very serious concern”.

It added that no overflows had been detected within the speedy space the place folks have been swimming.

Southern Water stated the one outfall which may have impacted water high quality was 5 kilometres from the seaside however was not ruling it out as the explanation for the decline in water high quality.

The firm has been underneath fireplace in recent times for top air pollution ranges. Last 12 months it was given one star out of 5 by the Environment Agency for environmental efficiency.

A spokesperson stated they took any decline in water high quality critically and that personal sewer pipes may be guilty.

They stated: “We take any decline to water quality in our region extremely seriously, and have been working closely with the Environment Agency and Portsmouth City Council for more than a decade to tackle concerns in this area.”

It added: "Over this time, leaking ageing sewers have been identified as one contributing factor, prompting a major upgrade programme involving sealing pipes with special polymer linings and ensuring manholes are watertight.

"We are persevering with to assist our companions find options, and are actively finishing up water high quality sampling exams to assist direct additional investigations and motion.”

In an announcement, the Environment Agency stated the water high quality may have been attributable to contaminated groundwater.

They stated they remained “committed” to enhancing water high quality and that almost all of the UK’s bathing waters have been “excellent.”

A spokesperson for the corporate stated: “We continue to work together with Portsmouth City Council and Southern Water to fully investigate the reasons for the decline in bathing water quality at Southsea East.

“All agencies involved are working to identify, remove and reduce sources of pollution to ensure that the status of this bathing water improves. The pollution sources appear to be localised and possibly coming from contaminated groundwater.

“Together with our partners, we remain committed to improving water quality at our beaches.

“The vast majority of our nation’s bathing waters are classified as excellent and nearly all are compliant with bathing water standards.”