Public warned to avoid polluted burn water at Scottish beach

Members of the public are being urged to avoid a burn that flows onto a beach in Fife after the water was found to be polluted.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued the warning for Kinghorn Burn in response to a "localised pollution incident" which could pose a "risk to human and animal health".

The stream flows underground beneath the town and across Kinghorn Harbour Beach.

Visitors to the beach are being advised to avoid contact with the burn.

SEPA said temporary signage has been installed at access points in the area and will remain in place until the water quality has improved.

Water quality in the burn was "intermittently poor" during recent testing. Meanwhile, for the 2026 season, the beach remains classified as "poor".

Scottish Water said the local water quality issues "have been uniquely complex and challenging".

A spokesperson for SEPA said: "SEPA are continuing to monitor the situation closely, including carrying out further water quality testing.

"The need for precautionary advice about the water quality in the burn will be kept under review.

"There are no restrictions on bathing or paddling within the Kinghorn Harbour Beach bathing water.

"SEPA's sampling of the bathing water will continue as normal; public advice will be updated if any issues at the bathing water are identified."

SEPA is working alongside Scottish Water, NHS Fife, Fife Council and the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.

A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: "We have been actively carrying out investigations across the sewer network and wider underground drainage networks in Kinghorn to identify and address potential sources of recent high sample results.

"Water quality issues at Kinghorn Harbour Beach have been uniquely complex and challenging, but we are committed to continuing work with partners to deliver improvement."

Those who become unwell after contact with water from the burn - particularly with symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, stomach cramps or fever - are urged to seek advice from nhsinform.scot or NHS24 on 111.

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The Fife warning comes just days after visitors were urged not to paddle or bathe in the sea at Ardrossan and Saltcoats in North Ayrshire due to a fault in a pipe near Saltcoats sewage pumping station.

A SEPA spokesperson said: "Scottish Water has been on site at this location from Monday 29 June carrying out repairs to the sewer network and need to make an emergency, temporary discharge of screened sewage to the sea at Stevenston.

"SEPA officers will carry out water quality testing at the site, inspections of the beaches and continue to be in contact Scottish Water and North Ayrshire Council to monitor the situation closely.

"Signage at Saltcoats was updated to advise against paddling or bathing and will continue to reflect this guidance until we are satisfied there is no risk."

(c) Sky News 2026: Public warned to avoid polluted burn water at Scottish beach