MEMBERS of the public have been warned to avoid entering the water at a beach in Fife following the discovery of “localised pollution”.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) issued the alert on Wednesday for Kinghorn Burn after tests found the water quality to be “intermittently poor”.
The environmental watchdog warned that the polluted water could pose a risk to human and animal health and has urged people to avoid contact with the burn, which flows under the town into Kinghorn Harbour beach.
A Sepa spokesperson said that temporary signs warning people not to enter the water have been installed at access points to the beach and will remain in place until the water quality has improved.
Kinghorn Harbour, which is a popular bathing spot in Fife, has not been affected by the health warning.
A spokesperson for Sepa said: “SEPA are continuing to monitor the situation closely, including carrying out further water quality testing. The need for precautionary advice about the water quality in the burn will be kept under review.
“Scheduled sampling of the bathing water will continue as normal and public advice will be updated if any issues at the bathing water are identified.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said they are carrying out investigations across the sewer network and wider underground drainage networks in Kinghorn to identify the source of the pollution.
A spokesperson added: “Water quality issues at Kinghorn Harbour beach have been uniquely complex and challenging, but we are committed to continuing work with partners to deliver improvement.”
