The Solent was the single-most polluted area by Southern Water in 2023, with popular Isle of Wight beaches named the worst contaminated, according to recent data.

New analysis by website Top of the Poops revealed the Isle of Wight was polluted by sewage 3,865 times, lasting 38,353 hours - that's 4.44 years!

Analysis found that 91 sites on the Island were polluted last year.

At the start of the bathing season, Southern Water reemphasised its promise to slash the amount of sewage being dumped in the sea and rivers.

Isle of Wight County Press: The 91 Island sites polluted by Southern Water in 2023The 91 Island sites polluted by Southern Water in 2023 (Image: Top of the Poops)

Southern Water was responsible for at least 29,494 sewage overflows in 2023 in the South East of England, Top of the Poops says

On average, the water company's systems overflowed 80.8 times daily, lasting 317,284 hours, 36.72 years, in 816 locations across the South East of England.

According to the data, the Solent was polluted by sewage 1,550 times, lasting 16,942 hours, equivalent to 1.96 years

Meanwhile, the River Yar in West Wight has been named the third most polluted river in 2023, with 1,957 incidents, totalling 13,717 hours or 1.59 years.

Isle of Wight County Press: The 31 sites that dumped sewage into the Solent in 2023The 31 sites that dumped sewage into the Solent in 2023 (Image: Top of the Poops)

The findings said that the second worst contaminated beach by Southern Water was Sandown, Whitecliff Bay, Yaverland and Shanklin, which was polluted 265 times lasting 4,000 hours or 5.56 months.

Bembridge, Seagrove and St Helens sits fifth with 237 incidents, lasting 2,879 hours or four months

However, the worst affected beaches were Cowes and Gurnard, which were polluted 649 times in 2023 lasting 5.360 hours or 7.44 months.

The Cowes/Gurnard area was the seventh most polluted bathing area in England and Wales, by duration of sewage overflows, as reported by the water companies

Isle of Wight County Press: The worst affected areas in Cowes and Gurnard in 2023The worst affected areas in Cowes and Gurnard in 2023 (Image: Top of the Poops)

Emergency clean-up work was required in Cowes earlier this month, when sewage began spewing from a drain cover on Terminus Road and Park Road, while children walked past.

In November, fat, oil and grease was blamed for an "unpleasant" sewage issue at Cross Street, for which Southern Water apologised.

Southern Water has previously said that parts of Cowes have 'a complicated sewer system.'

Across the River Medina, an 'issue with the pumping station' led to a sewage spill in a children's play park in East Cowes, in March.

Isle of Wight County Press: Southern Water sewage overflows in the South East of England in the 2023 map. Source:Top Of The Poops

Last year, Southern Water spent more than £9 million on upgrades to the Sandown Wastewater Treatment Works, which was part of a wider £17.5 million improvement programme for the Island which will run until 2025.

This included further schemes being carried out in Roud, Shalfleet and Calbourne, to improve water quality and reduce storm overflows.

Southern Water said that, across the region, £3bn has been spent from 2020 to 2025, and a further £7.8bn is due to be spent between 2025 and 2030.

Of that, £3.3bn is set aside to help improve the environment.