Tests show Portobello beach pollution not due to sewage

Following water quality sampling tests, known as microbial source tracking (MST), the advisory against swimming at the beach was removed on 12 July.

MST uses DNA-based techniques to determine the sources of bacteria in water.

Long-term sampling and MST at Portobello has shown the main sources of pollution at the site to be human, dog, and gull waste.

Vicki White, Sepa senior manager in environmental performance, said beachgoers can help protect water quality by picking up litter to deter gulls feeding and by cleaning up after dogs.

She added: “Microbial source tracking can be very helpful in identifying a source, but in this case our analysis of this one sample has not been able to identify one.

“However, these results, combined with the fact our officers found no issues when we checked Scottish Water assets in the area, do indicate that this was not a sewage-related incident.

“Water sampling will be ongoing throughout the bathing season as part of routine testing, and we will continue to investigate any high bacterial results and take actions to tackle any pollution sources identified.”

Sepa conducts weekly tests of water quality at bathing sites, with results , externaland predictions, external available online.