AN MP has raised concerns over an apparent “sewage leak” at a Scottish beach.
Chris Murray, Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, posted an image (pictured) of what looks like a sewage leak at Portobello Beach in Edinburgh.
Posting on Twitter/X, Murray (below, left) said: “This is the pic of Portobello circulating this morning. It looks like a sewage leak (what is it?!)
“It’s totally unacceptable that this is washing onto the beach and into the sea. So much for the reassurances from @scottishwater that everything is fine!”
This is the pic of Portobello circulating this morning. It looks like a sewage leak (what is it?!) It’s totally unacceptable that this is washing onto the beach and into the sea. So much for the reassurances from @scottishwater that everything is fine! pic.twitter.com/vCIvENL6rC
— Chris Murray MP (@ChrisMurrayMP) October 29, 2024
Murray added: “Thank goodness we have Porty Water Collective spotting this and capturing a sample. But it shouldn’t be left to volunteers!
“If this isn’t fixed people will stop using the beach, or worse, someone will get sick.
“@scotgov needs to get a grip on this! I’ll be following up.”
The Porty Water Collective is a collection of individuals, organisations, community groups and charities committed to protecting the blue spaces in and around Portobello.
The beach was recently ranked as the second-best coastal spot in the UK, behind Whitby Beach in north England.
In July, swimmers were urged to avoid entering the sea due to an unusually high bacteria count – although it was later concluded that sewage did not cause the surge.
Scottish Water have advised that the red substance seen in the image appears to be dye, and that it was not carrying out dye-testing in the area at the time, meaning the spillage is therefore not related to Scottish Water.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said: “Sepa have received several complaints from members of the public regarding discoloured water flowing from a yellow pipe at Portobello beach which was observed at low tide.
“Our officers are investigating the source and hope to be able to take a sample at low tide if the discolouration continues to be present.
“We would like to thank those who submitted reports and encourage anyone who is concerned about a potential pollution incident to contact Sepa as soon as possible via the Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60 or by submitting a form online at sepa.org.uk/report.”
Porty Water Collective has been contacted for comment.
