FISHERROW Sands is no longer a designated bathing area after receiving ‘poor’ ratings for water quality for five years in a row.

David Pirie, executive director, evidence & flooding at Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), stressed that official regulations meant that, for 2020, general advice against bathing should now apply.

Notices are now in place including local authority and SEPA signage.

The decision was taken despite proposals by the Scottish Government not to classify the nation’s bathing waters this season due the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Pirie said: “In light of Scotland’s continuing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Scottish Government has not designated bathing waters for the 2020 season and has recently consulted on proposals to keep this under review across the summer.”

But because Fisherrow Sands had five consecutive ‘poor’ water quality classifications, the rules state that it is automatically no longer classed as a bathing water.

Mr Pirie said: “Over recent years, significant work has been undertaken by SEPA, Scottish Water and Scottish Government working with the local authority and wider stakeholders to improve water quality at Fisherrow Sands.

To date, around £3 million has already been invested to improve bathing water quality in the area, and further spend is planned.”

Despite this, Fisherrow Sands ended the 2019 bathing water season with a ‘poor’ water quality classification.

He explained: “Although the water quality frequently met bathing water quality standards, Fisherrow Sands has now had five consecutive ‘poor’ classifications.

“As such, the Bathing Water (Scotland) Regulations require that for 2020, general advice against bathing should now apply at this location. This advice should be read in conjunction with important public health messaging and the

fact no bathing waters have, to date, been designated across Scotland for the 2020 period.

“Whilst importantly this does not mean the beach is closed, it does mean that Fisherrow Sands is no longer a designated bathing water.”

He added: “At this stage, we’re not able to comment on a timeline for future designation of beaches including Fisherrow. We’ll keep stakeholders informed of progress.”

SEPA said bathing water quality at Fisherrow varied daily. Of 21 water quality samples taken in 2019, the majority were in line with the good or excellent standards of the regulations. However Fisherrow, like many of many of Scotland’s bathing waters, experiences occasional poor water quality caused by heavy rainfall which can last one to two days.

As Fisherrow is a former bathing water with general advice against bathing, SEPA says it is not able to display daily water quality predictions on its website and at the beach.

In addition, given the current public health restrictions, SEPA’s 2020 sampling programme at all beaches is yet to be determined. It is hoping to be able to undertake sampling at Fisherrow in due course to demonstrate improved water quality and any sampling results will be available upon request.

Colin Robertson, Fisherrow Yacht Club commodore, said: “Whilst current circumstances are not ideal, I am disappointed that the Scottish Government and SEPA are not undertaking routine testing of water quality for designated bathing waters.

“This is especially important at Fisherrow Sands following its loss of bathing water status. Testing is essential to provide information on what is an important public health issue and allow people to use Fisherrow Sands with confidence.

“Whilst Scottish Water has made recent investments to reduce pollution coming from the sewage network and its treatment works at Eastfield, the effects on the resulting water quality at Fisherrow will not be known. Maintaining the testing regime would inform everyone on what had been achieved and what further work is still required to bring water quality up to a consistently good level.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, cabinet spokesperson for environment at East Lothian Council, said: “Whilst the beach remains open, SEPA has advised that general advice against bathing should now apply at Fisherrow Sands in line with the requirements of bathing water regulations.

“We recognise that over recent years, work has been undertaken by SEPA, Scottish Water and Scottish Government working with the council and other stakeholders to improve water quality, with further improvements planned.

“This has included improvements to the Eastfield Pumping Station as well as improvements to the Scottish Water sewerage network. There is also a focus on addressing issues associated with overflows and discharges to the Brunstane Burn and reduced spills from a combined sewer overflow at Portobello.

“We have been in discussions with SEPA and Scottish Water about this matter and are keen that steps are taken to deliver improvements to water quality in the area. Fisherrow Sands is a popular location and users of the beach will want to see that this is addressed as quickly as possible.

“Our understanding is that if sampling can demonstrate an improvement in quality, steps can be taken to redesignate the location as a bathing water with a classification of ‘sufficient’ or better if applicable.

“The council will continue to liaise with SEPA and Scottish Water on this matter and be supportive of partnership working and solutions which can lead to the required improvements.”