Anger after two days of beach swimming warnings
BBCResidents and businesses in Thanet have expressed anger at the impact of advice not to swim at several of the area's beaches on Thursday and Friday.
The warning followed a discharge of storm wastewater after heavy rainfall on Wednesday.
Thanet District Council's advice not to enter the water at 12 beaches from Margate to Ramsgate was lifted at 16:00 BST on Friday.
A spokesperson for Southern Water, which is responsible for the wastewater in the area, said: "We're very sorry for the impact on the community, visitors and the local environment."
A council spokesperson said its advice had been issued after "a confirmed discharge of storm wastewater by Southern Water on Wednesday, following the heavy rain."
Signs were placed at entrances to the affected beaches.
Alison Corrigan, from Joss Bay Cafe, said: "People take one look at the signs and get back in their cars.
"I haven't even seen any locals today. I've seen nobody."
Debbie Goldberg, owner of Stone Bay Montessori and Beach School, said: "We live in a first world county and children can't play in the water on the beach.
"It's absolutely disgusting. I'm appalled."
The Dickens Festival group in Broadstairs had to abandon its annual sea swim in the town on Friday due to the council advice.
The Southern Water statement added: "Increased stormwater put our network under significant pressure and our storm overflows operated as normal to protect homes from flooding.
"A concurrent power failure at our Margate pumping station reduced its capacity to handle these flows, contributing to the system becoming overloaded and resulting in releases."
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