Swimmers advised to stay out of the sea at Portobello beach – BBC News

Swimmers are being advised against going into the sea at Portobello beach in Edinburgh due to “potential risk to human health” from bacteria.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has indicated a high bacterial result in the water following analysis of routine samples.

Temporary advice against bathing and paddling, from Pipe Lane to Joppa Rocks, has been issued.

Sepa is working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Water.

Signs are alerting people to the situation.

Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council’s leader, said: “We’re aware of Sepa’s current advice against bathing and paddling at Portobello beach and I’d request that people follow the advice.

“The matter is currently under investigation, and we’ll continue to liaise with Sepa and our partners to monitor the situation.”

Charlie Allanson-Oddy, a volunteer for Portobello Water Collective, told BBC Scotland News they had been testing the water at the beach every week for the last year.

“Just over 80% of our results would be considered unsafe by Sepa for E-coli levels,” he said.

“We record these with Sepa and Scottish Water.

“Sepa is saying there is a bacteria pollution event but there is no mention of what that bacteria is. What I would like to know is what that bacteria is?

“They must know if they are saying it’s a public health concern.”

Mr Allanson-Oddy added: “Thousands of folk use the beach, water and promenade every day, even in the most inclement weathers.

“I’m concerned and would be alarmed if anyone is still going into the water after this warning has been issued.”

He said the situation was “unacceptable and shameful”.

Kirsty Carver, owner of Soul Water Sauna which is used by many wild swimmers at the beach, said she had lost 50% of her business since the warning signs were erected.

She said: “I’ve been advising everyone not to use the sea but some people are still going into the water.

“I’ve emailed everyone that is booked in with me over the weekend and I’ve had a lot of people rescheduling.

“I don’t want people to have to change their plans but equally I don’t want them to have their sauna experience ruined and not to be able to use the sauna and sea as expected.

Ms Carver said there was water pollution on the beach at Portobello “almost every day”.

“We know this because of the testing we have done at Figgate Burn, which shows the water quality can be poor but there is nothing being done about it.

“The council aren’t putting their hand up and saying, yes there is a problem and we need to fix it. They are not doing anything about it. It’s very frustrating.”

A Sepa spokeswoman said: “As a result of analysis of routine samples, Sepa has indicated a high bacterial result at Portobello Central bathing water.

“We are temporarily advising against bathing and paddling as a precautionary measure, due to the potential human health risk.

“Sepa is currently investigating the cause of this high result and if required we will explore any mitigation measures.”

She added that Sepa was awaiting the results of further water samples.

“Signage advising against bathing will remain in place until the water quality returns to a satisfactory level,” she said.