Surfers Against Sewage

Surfers Against Sewage is an environmental campaign group based in Cornwall. It was founded in May 1990 by three surfers who were getting sick of coming down with ear infections or stomach bugs every time they went into the water. Deciding to take positive and direct action, they formed Surfers Against Sewage, which has since become regarded as one of the most successful, fastest growing pressure groups in the country. SAS is a high profile, media oriented campaign. They use the media to get their message across to millions of people with the aim of changing public opinion to the point where something must be done. SAS realises that one of the key parts of any debate is to provide an answer to the problem. They spend a lot of time putting together a winning argument, whether it be about the levels of treatment or the cost of that treatment, they research and understand the debate and equally importantly educate the key decision makers of the time so that they are aware of all of the facts.

300 million gallons of sewage are discharged to sea every day via the outfalls around our coastline. In addition to this an estimated 2 million tonnes of toxic waste are discharged to sea every year. Two main problems arise from this discharge: the visible sewage debris and more importantly the risks to health that can occur after using sewage polluted waters.

Surfers Against Sewage campaign for clean, safe recreational waters, free from sewage effluents, toxic chemicals and nuclear waste. Using a solution based argument of viable and sustainable alternatives, SAS highlight the inherent flaws in current practices, attitudes and legislation, challenging industry, legislators and politicians to end their 'pump and dump' policies.

Ross Dickinson, Jan 2006.

www.sas.org.uk