Southern Water says the works meets stringent European standards

Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage will take a bath tub of water to County Hall, Lewes, and Brighton Town Hall.

The move is timed to coincide with an expected planning application for a waste water plant at Peacehaven.

Surfers said it offered secondary not full treatment but Southern Water said it would bring cleaner seas to Sussex.

The group claimed that secondary-level treated water was an effluent that could contain faecal bugs which would threaten the health of surfers, kite surfers and swimmers.

'Cleaner sea water'

The group said the issue of treatment level was not "a material planning concern" but should still be "of great concern" to councillors, residents and businesses in Brighton.

Spokesman Richard Gregory said: "Both councils should adopt a policy that best reflects the needs of local people, the environment and recreational water users and that's full sewage treatment, not secondary."

Southern Water has said the proposals will deliver improved wastewater treatment and cleaner sea water off the Sussex coast.

The company said in October that it was continuing to consult with local planning authorities.

Southern Water had also contacted parish and town councils about the new sewer infrastructure requirements, and was working towards submitting formal planning applications.