Forth safe after huge sewage leak

The sewage spill had prompted warnings over contamination

The authorities in Edinburgh have said it is safe to return to beaches along the Firth of Forth following last weekend's massive sewage spill.

Edinburgh City Council said tests showed the sea was meeting European bathing water standards.

But they have continued to advise that fish and shellfish should not be collected and eaten from the area.

Millions of litres of screened sewage flowed into the firth after a pump failed at the Seafield treatment plant.

The announcement follows a meeting between agencies including Scottish Water, Thames Water, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), NHS Lothian, the Food Standards Agency Scotland, Fife Council, East Lothian Council and the City of Edinburgh Council, with input from West Lothian Council.

A statement issued afterwards said: "Full test results from samples taken by Sepa and the concerned councils confirm that the quality of the bathing water meets the Bathing Water Quality Standard and does not present a risk to anyone using the beach or bathing in the water.

"It is important to note that the results of tests on fish and shellfish are not yet complete.

2As fish may in the short term accumulate bacteria, we would advise, as a precautionary measure, that fish and shellfish should not be collected and consumed from the area running from Crammond to Gullane Point until further notice.

"This advice will be reviewed once the results of tests are completed by the Food Standards Agency Scotland in full."

Council leader councillor Ewan Aitken said: "From 5 pm today community safety officers will be changing the signs on the beaches to indicate to the public that the beaches are once again safe to use."

Pumping equipment at the Seafield Wastewater Treatment Plant in Leith failed at 1630 BST on Friday and the problem was not fully rectified until Monday morning.

The plant is run by Thames Water for Scottish Water.