The Scottish Parliament

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Question reference: S7W-04296

Asked by: Kate Nevens, MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported concerns regarding the levels of sewage discharge around Portobello beach in Edinburgh, and whether it plans to work with Scottish Water and SEPA to address the recorded levels of E.coli and intestinal enterococci at the site.

Last year, 97% of designated bathing waters in Scotland achieved the bathing water quality standard and 82% achieved the higher standards of “Good” and “Excellent"

The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to address water quality concerns at Portobello.

Scottish Water is undertaking a £1 million project to protect and potentially improve the water quality at Portobello. This work includes detailed modelling and a “find and fix” watercourse pollution study to identify and mitigate sources of pollution as they are identified, such as misconnections, where household waste pipes have been incorrectly connected to surface water drains. Scottish Water expect to conclude the project in March 2027

In addition, last year, SEPA established a Management Group together with the City of Edinburgh Council, and Scottish Water, to provide oversight of the investigations in Portobello and Fisherrow to consider wider improvement and beach management activities.

I have also asked SEPA to consider opportunities to raise awareness of the positive role everyone can play in helping to protect water quality at Scotland’s bathing waters.

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Question reference: S7W-04296

Answer