An investigation is under way by the Environment Agency, Southern Water and Thanet District Council.

Robert Lambourn, the council's interim strategic director, told BBC Radio Kent: "In my view there was some sort of major pollution incident."

Southern Water said no waste water is discharged into Viking Bay.

One person who does a lot of sailing told of circumstances that can only be described as raw sewage Robert Lambourn

Richard Price, asset manager for Southern Water, said: "The environment is right at the core of our operation.

"Obviously, we are very concerned that two of the 20 samples at Viking Bay failed the bathing water standard this year.

"We have investigated our waste water infrastructure that serves Broadstairs and haven't found a cause of the problem.

"We are keen to look at other causes such as the surface water system that discharges to the east of the Bay and any contamination from things like missed connections, defective private drainage or even defective public sewers."

He said inquiries had begun and further investigation was needed.

Sewage claims

Mr Lambourn said about 50 people at the public meeting had made it clear they wanted the sea water to be made safe.

"One person who does a lot of sailing told of circumstances that can only be described as raw sewage," he said.

He said Southern Water and the Environment Agency had responsibility for waste water, while the council was responsible for drains.

"For these samples to have failed in the way they did is something fairly dramatic," he said.

An Environment Agency statement said that bathing water in England and Wales was monitored weekly through the summer and judged on two sets of standards within a European Commission directive on bathing water quality.

"Defra will be considering data we have collected and will issue the annual bathing water results later in the autumn," a spokesman said.

"We understand concerns raised by the council regarding the failure at Viking Bay during 2004."