Southern Water found that the Phoenix Building – part of the Lymington Centre – was illegally connected to surface water drains instead of the town’s sewer system.

It comes after another spike in E.coli levels in the river, which is popular with yachtsmen and other sailors.

Last year it was revealed that homes and businesses in the Brunswick Place area of the town were also connected to the drains.

Sewage from part of the Lymington Centre has been flowing into the Lymington River (Image: Newsquest)

A Southern Water spokesperson said: “During investigation work in the area, we identified an illegal connection to the Lymington Centre which we believe is having a negative impact on the local environment.”

The Phoenix Building, which hosts dance classes and other activities, dates from the 1950s.

READ MORE: Lymington River sewage pollution ‘scandal’ sparks call for public inquiry

Centre manager Rachel Smith said: “The water board identified a problem with the Phoenix Building when they were making repairs in Brunswick Place.

“We were shocked to find this out. We immediately shut down the Phoenix Building’s toilets and have been working with Southern Water to ensure repairs are made quickly.

“Our centre users have been really good during this time and have been using the other facilities we have.”

A large marina at the mouth of the Lymington River (Image: Stephen Bath)

Last year it emerged that raw sewage from Brunswick Place had been flowing into the Lymington River via an outfall for decades.

Checks carried out by New Forest Friends of the Earth revealed that E.coli levels in the waterway were 80 times the safe limit for bathing.

Southern Water used tankers to remove wastewater from the area to protect the environment.

In October, Lymington councillor Jack Davies – a former town mayor – launched an online petition calling for a public inquiry into the “scandal”.

He said: “For 40 years our river has been polluted by raw sewage. Only a public inquiry can get to the bottom of how this was allowed to happen.”

E.coli levels declined towards the end of last year but a recent increase has been identified.

Posting on social media earlier this month, New Forest Friends of the Earth said: “Despite Southern Water’s work at Brunswick Place to divert sewage from this housing area into the foul sewer there’s still more sewage entering from somewhere else.”