Find out about water quality and sampling of swimming pool water and drinking water.
Sea water is tested by the Environment Agency. For more information and to view sea water sampling results for Eastbourne, go to our Sea Water Quality page.
Swimming Pool Water
Swimming pools can be a source of infection if the water is inadequately treated. Monitoring is the responsibility of the pool operator.
To protect public health the council samples the quality of the water in swimming pools in Eastbourne.
Officers take samples of pool water for microbiological examination. The results will indicate the effectiveness of the water disinfection process.
To arrange a test please contact Environmental Health using the online form below. The current fees for this service are shown in our list of Fees and Charges, available to download below.
We also respond to complaints from pool users about the water quality or safety conditions.
Drinking Water
South East Water are responsible for the supply and quality of Eastbourne's drinking water.
South East Water sample the water regularly and results are reported to the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
The council also takes samples independently from time to time.
Environmental Health can deal with any complaints about the quality of drinking water in someone's home and liaise with South East Water as necessary.
Download Advice Leaflets
You can download useful leaflets about drinking water quality from South East Water and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Leaflets cover tap water quality, smell and taste, discolouration, hardness and scale and lead in water.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is responsible for all aspects of water policy in England, including water supply and resources, and the regulatory systems for the water environment and the water industry.
