SWIMMERS were told to keep out of the water at a beach near North Berwick after a pumping station failure led to fears of pollution.

Members of the public were alerted to the potential water quality issue at Broad Sands Beach, east of Yellowcraig, near Dirleton, last week.

A member of the public raised the alarm last Thursday, with East Lothian Council quickly putting signs in place to advise people against bathing at the beach.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) told the Courier: “Every day, SEPA works to protect and improve Scotland’s environment, and takes reports of pollution very seriously.

“SEPA was contacted by a member of the public on Thursday, July 4, reporting a pollution event affecting the Eel Burn, which flows to Broad Sands Beach.

“As part of their investigation, SEPA officers contacted Scottish Water and took water samples.

“The cause of the pollution was a mechanical failure at a pumping station, which resulted in a potential water quality issue, and Scottish Water put measures in place to mitigate any further pollution.

“SEPA also informed East Lothian Council so signage could be posted to advise against bathing.

“On Friday evening, SEPA was informed by telephone that the issue had been rectified and the discharge to the Eel Burn had been stopped.

“Further water samples taken from Broad Sands bathing water by SEPA officers on Monday, July 8, have confirmed there is no ongoing impact from this event.

“SEPA officers are still investigating the circumstances around the pollution event.”

A Scottish Water spokeswoman said: “A mechanical failure at a pumping station near North Berwick occurred on Friday and resulted in a potential water quality issue in the local area known as the Eel Burn.

“Scottish Water responded immediately to the incident to minimise any impact. A repair was carried out and the matter resolved.

“There was no leakage of any material from the sewer network onto the nearby beach.”