RESIDENTS have once more been warned not to swim or bathe on North Berwick’s West Beach. 
Earlier this month, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) warned people not to swim or bathe there. 
The move came as a result of indications of possible pollution in test sampling. 
An initial sample, taken on August 1, showed “pollution at an elevated level” on West Beach, a popular spot for visitors. 
SEPA then took test samples on August 5 and 8 which showed the water quality had improved, but another sample taken on Monday showed pollution had returned. 
A SEPA spokesman told the Courier: “Extensive investigations and additional sampling have taken place since; however, we have been unable to conclusively determine the source of this result. 
“We took investigatory samples from the bathing water on August 5 and 8, which showed a return to more typical water quality and our compliance sample on August 10 again reflected this, leading us to conclude that the cause of the pollution had ceased.
“However, early indications from a sample taken on Monday show pollution to be present again. 
“We would advise beach visitors to avoid swimming and paddling at this site.
“Our investigations will continue and we will work with our partners to resolve this issue and return the bathing water to its normal good condition.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for East Lothian Council added: "We are working closely with SEPA to monitor the water quality at West Beach.

"SEPA are also liaising with Scottish Water to establish the source of the contamination and we hope to have the situation rectified as soon as possible. "We echo the public health warning from NHS Lothian and are urging people to comply with the advisory signage in place at the beach.

Both SEPA and the local authority added that the incident was “very localised”, stressing there was no affect at nearby Milsey Bay in the town. 
The SEPA official was unable to tell the Courier how long the latest warning was expected to remain in place.