Scottish Water commit to further action at Kinghorn beach after campaign

This week, Scottish Water Chief, Alex Plant, made a major public commitment to improving water quality at Kinghorn Beach, as Melanie Ward MP handed over a petition signed by over 1,000 residents calling for action.

At a meeting on Kinghorn Beach organised by Melanie Ward MP, the Scottish Water boss committed to fixing the pollution issue, whatever the outcome of an upcoming decision on its continued designation as a bathing water. Mr Plant also set out a 12 month timeline for when residents can expect to hear progress on the issue.

At the meeting, Mr Plant said:

“it does not matter if the beach is de-designated, we will not let this carry on.” 

Melanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency said:

“It’s unacceptable that Kinghorn residents have had to put up with this for so many years. My petition, signed by more than 1,000 locals, shows just how strong the feeling is here.

 

“I’m pleased that Alex Plant came to see the problem for himself for the first time and hear directly from residents about the very real impact this is having on our community.

 

“I’m also pleased that he gave a public commitment to fix the sewage leak, come what may.

 

“The situation is unsustainable and unacceptable, and work must rapidly continue to ensure that this issue is resolved once and for all.”

At a public meeting hosted by the MP in July, attended by more than 100 Kinghorn residents, senior officials from SEPA and Scottish Water revealed that Kinghorn Beach would potentially be de-designated as a bathing water in November of this year due to persistently ‘Poor’ water quality ratings.

Residents had been left worried that the de-designation would have meant that the recent work to prevent sewage spilling onto the beach would slow down. This week, Alex Plant committed to fixing the pollution spills into the bathing waters after a long campaign from residents and their MP.

Scottish Water has been aware of contamination leaks at the Lady Burn for over a decade, and ratings at Kinghorn Beach have been ‘Poor’ for the last four years. A fifth ‘Poor’ rating, which is anticipated for Kinghorn this year, would lead to the beach losing its bathing water status.

The meeting was additionally attended by Simon Parsons, Scottish Water’s Director of Wastewater, as well as Claire Baker MSP, Alan McIlravie - a former Provost and long-time local water quality campaigner, and James Wheare from the Kinghorn Coastal Rowing Club.

Alan and James told the water boss of the impact this has had on the community, in addition to the presentation of the petition. 

Kinghorn water campaigner, Alan McIlravie said: 

“The impact of the poor water quality at Kinghorn Beach is real, and it’s unfortunate that the situation has gone on for so long.

“It’s not just cold-water swimmers that this affects, treasured local events like the Loony Dook, tourists, local businesses and organisations all feel the impact.

“I was pleased to hear about the work Scottish Water is now doing to rectify the issue, and their public commitment to explore more radical solutions if the source of the sewage leak cannot be found.

“I’m grateful to Melanie Ward MP and Claire Baker MSP for their work in leading this campaign, and for putting the pressure on Scottish Water to deliver the changes Kinghorn deserves.”

Ms Ward hosted Director of Wastewater, Mr Parsons, with other Scottish Water and SEPA executives at Kinghorn Beach back in June. Investigative works across the Kingdom have increased significantly since pressure has been applied by Ms Ward’s campaign, with almost every property now receiving dye testing to check for sewage leaks.

Despite the extensive recent works, a source of the contamination in the Kinghorn Burn has not yet been found. Scottish Water has said that they will complete their investigative works in the next 12 months, and will explore more radical measures such as transferring the water to a waste treatment facility should the source not be found.