This beach, which is situated between the Joppa area of Edinburgh and the East Lothian town of Musselburgh, is one of the beaches with the poorest water quality. Locals were previously warned not to swim at the beach, after it received a 'poor'' rating for five years in a row. However, Fisherrow Sands has recently been re-designated as an official bathing water by SEPA.This beach, which is situated between the Joppa area of Edinburgh and the East Lothian town of Musselburgh, is one of the beaches with the poorest water quality. Locals were previously warned not to swim at the beach, after it received a 'poor'' rating for five years in a row. However, Fisherrow Sands has recently been re-designated as an official bathing water by SEPA.
This beach, which is situated between the Joppa area of Edinburgh and the East Lothian town of Musselburgh, is one of the beaches with the poorest water quality. Locals were previously warned not to swim at the beach, after it received a 'poor'' rating for five years in a row. However, Fisherrow Sands has recently been re-designated as an official bathing water by SEPA.

Edinburgh water quality: The 7 beaches with the dirtiest water in Edinburgh and the Lothians

High levels of E.coli were found in the waters at some beaches
Anna Bryan
By Anna Bryan
Published 25th May 2023, 14:16 GMT
Updated 1st Jun 2023, 18:20 GMT

These are the 7 beaches with the worst water quality in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

While the east coast has some stunning and beautiful beaches, the waters are not as clean as they might appear. Spots like Portobello Beach are popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts, however, high levels of the dangerous bacteria E.coli have been found in the bathing waters. Some Edinburgh beaches are so polluted that locals have been warned not to swim.

We looked at data analysing water samples taken from May to September last year, by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Here are the beaches with the dirtiest water near you.

We looked at data analysing water samples taken from May to September last year, by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Here are the beaches with the dirtiest water near you.

Belhaven Bay, in Dunbar, is a popular spot for windsurfers. While SEPA have rated the water quality as 'good', after storms last August, an unsafe level of e-coli was found in the bathing waters.

5. Dunbar (Belhaven)

Belhaven Bay, in Dunbar, is a popular spot for windsurfers. While SEPA have rated the water quality as 'good', after storms last August, an unsafe level of e-coli was found in the bathing waters. Photo: Ute Penny

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Portobello Central has a 'good' bathing water rating, however, there are still concerns about the cleanliness of the Edinburgh beach. Testing carried out by charity Surfers Against Sewage last year found a high-level of e.coli in the waters near Portobello Beach.

6. Portobello (Central)

Portobello Central has a 'good' bathing water rating, however, there are still concerns about the cleanliness of the Edinburgh beach. Testing carried out by charity Surfers Against Sewage last year found a high-level of e.coli in the waters near Portobello Beach. Photo: LISA FERGUSON

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The gorgeous sandy beach in East Lothian looks like a lovely place to swim and sunbathe. However, despite a 'good' bathing water rating from SEPA, high e.coli levels of 1800 cfu were found at Yellowcraig last year.

7. Yellowcraig

The gorgeous sandy beach in East Lothian looks like a lovely place to swim and sunbathe. However, despite a 'good' bathing water rating from SEPA, high e.coli levels of 1800 cfu were found at Yellowcraig last year. Photo: Contributed

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