Urgent ‘do not swim' warning to Scots at two popular seaside spots
STAY AWAY Urgent 'do not swim' warning to Scots at two popular seaside spots
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AN URGENT "do not swim" warning has been issued to Scots heading to two popular beaches this week.
Swimmers looking to take to the water at two beaches in Fife have been urged to stay away due to an ongoing contamination incident.
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The water at Butntisland Beach has high levels of microbiological contamination
Credit: Alamy
Visitors have been told they should not enter the sea at both Burntisland Beach and Kinghorn Harbour.
Both beauty spots overlook the Firth of Forth, with the former being popular for its rock pools and large sandy area, while the latter is located next to a busy caravan park.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) launched an investigation into the incident this week.
The alarm was raised after the public body discovered high levels of microbiological contamination after taking readings from the water.
This was then shared with Fife Council and the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.
And it prompted the advice to stay clear of the water amid fears that the pollution in the water could lead to illness.
Members of the public are temporarily advised against bathing, paddling, or playing in the sea or streams running into both beaches until further notice
Fife Coast and Countryside Trus
Signs have been erected at key access points at both beaches to highlight the issue.
It urges visitors not to swim or paddle in the seas or streams that run into both beaches until further notice.
The public has also been warned to keep pets away from the water and wash their hands and shoes if they decide to visit either beach.
People have also been urged not to take home anything from the beach, including shells and rocks, and not to gather or eat any shellfish from the area.
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Fife Coast and Countryside Trust also shared a warning on social media, asking people to avoid the water.
The post on Facebook read: "SEPA has requested members of the public are informed of high Microbiological Contamination readings at Burntisland and Kinghorn Harbour Beaches.
"Pollution has been identified by SEPA at Burntisland and Kinghorn Harbour Beaches and exposure may cause illness.
"Therefore, members of the public are temporarily advised against bathing, paddling, or playing in the sea or streams running into both beaches until further notice.
"Signage has been placed at key access points with the following guidance:
Do not enter the water to paddle or swim
Keep pets away from the water
Wash hands and footwear after visiting the area, and ensure you wash your hands before eating and/or drinking
You should not take anything home from the beach
You should not gather and/or consume shellfish collected from this area.
"For further information please contact SEPA on 03000 99 66 99."
Users quickly flocked to the comments of the post to share their concerns after hearing the news.
Responding to pollution incidents
SEPA has issued the following advice to anyone looking to report pollution incidents. The public body said:
"Although rare, pollution incidents affecting bathing water quality can happen.
"Pollution incidents tend to be unpredictable, for example, a slurry spill or sewage network failure, and can result in elevated levels of
faecal indicators.
"To report a possible pollution incident, please use our 24-hour pollution hotline (0800 807060).
"In response, we will investigate the incident and contact other relevant organisations. That may include Scottish Ministers, Scottish Water, the local authority and the relevant health board.
"Where necessar,y measures will be put in place to resolve the problem.
"Whenever our routine sampling of bathing waters identifies elevated levels of faecal indicators, there is an immediate response to check all relevant potential sources and major discharges in the immediate
catchment, as well as our hydrometric information to determine whether the levels may be due to high river flows.
"Follow-up microbiology sampling is also undertaken of the bathing water and local water courses.
"If beach users or bathers are considered to be at risk the local authority will warn the public by erecting signs at the bathing water. Information will also be available on our website.
"Other pollutants at the beach may include plastics and litter. Beach users are encouraged to use the bins provided or to take litter home".
One person said: "That doesn't sound good, hope they get it sorted soon".
Another added: "Be careful with dogs!"
Someone else wrote: "I hope all the swimmers are ok as both beaches were mobbed last weekend".
While a fourth shared: "Oh no! That's awful."
And a fifth chimed in: "Don't come to the beach just now".
Fife Council told the Scottish Sun that it has worked with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust to share information on this issue and confirmed that signage is in place at both locations.
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