Rory Thompson a local vet has identified a repeated link between sewage discharges and illness in dogs. I’m supporting the investigation because this raises serious questions about water quality, public health, and environmental safety along our coastline. I and others in the area are supporting this work because pets are often the first to show us when something is wrong in the environment. If dogs are becoming ill after exposure to the sea, we have a responsibility to ask what that means for people, wildlife, and the health of our coastline
New veterinary analysis suggests untreated sewage discharges may be contributing to gastrointestinal illness in dogs along the Whitburn coastline.
A two-year investigation led by local veterinary surgeon Rory Thompson has identified a repeated timing link between untreated sewage discharges from Whitburn Steel Pumping Station and spikes in gastrointestinal illness in dogs living along the SR6 coastline, which stretches from Marsden to Sunderland.
What was examined
The analysis compared sewage discharge records from 2023–2024 with weekly veterinary prescriptions for gastrointestinal illness issued to dogs living in the same coastal postcode area. Veterinary prescribing data was used as a recognised proxy for illness outbreaks, allowing patterns to be assessed where direct diagnostic testing is impractical.
Key findings
- Untreated sewage was discharged offshore in 33 separate weeks over the two-year period
- Twelve significant outbreaks of dog gastrointestinal illness were identified
- Half of these outbreaks (6 out of 12) occurred during or within one week of a sewage discharge
- Discharges were untreated and released directly into coastal waters used daily by dog walkers
The outbreak definition was deliberately conservative to avoid chance associations, strengthening confidence in the observed pattern.
Why dogs are affected
Untreated sewage can contain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other pathogens not routinely monitored in bathing water testing. Dogs are particularly vulnerable due to their tendency to drink seawater, groom contaminated fur, and ingest sand and debris after beach visits.
A concentrated risk area
The affected SR6 coastline includes multiple protected environmental sites and is a heavily used recreational area. The sewage outfall sits at the centre of this zone, creating a focused exposure corridor for pets, people, and wildlife.
Wider implications
While the study does not claim to prove causation, it raises serious questions about water quality, environmental safety, and public health. Dogs often act as early warning indicators of environmental harm, suggesting the findings may have wider relevance beyond animal health.
There is currently no published ecological impact assessment examining the effects of repeated untreated sewage discharges in this area.
Why this matters now
The findings indicate present-day harm, not a future or hypothetical risk. The evidence supports calls for urgent investigation, improved monitoring, and greater transparency around sewage discharges and infrastructure capacity.
The research is being prepared for scientific review and will be shared with regulators and local representatives
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