Swimmers have been warned to stay out of the water at Scotland's Kinghorn Beach after E. coli was detected. The sewage contamination problem remains unresolved, putting the beach's bathing water status at risk.
Here's what to know
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency could remove Kinghorn's bathing water designation if the assessment gives the beach its fifth straight "poor" rating, according to STV News.
Scottish Water's search has not yet established where the contamination originates, chief executive Alex Plant told STV News. What is known, he said, is that it enters the Kinghorn Burn upstream of the beach.
Around 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of sewer lines run beneath the town, creating what Scottish Water bosses described as a "fairly unique" challenge for investigators.
"The issue is there is some sort of contamination coming into the burn upstream of here, and our teams have been out surveying about 2,000 metres through CCTV surveys, using dye to understand where the contamination is coming from, looking through all the manholes and understanding what it is. We haven't yet found the problem," Plant said.
More background
Health and business concerns have added to the pressure for a fix. Melanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, said the situation makes people ill and harms local businesses.
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A change in SEPA's sewage limits left Kinghorn above the threshold, former Kinghorn provost Allan Mcilravie said. He said residents first learned of the issue from the agency.
He called the situation a "professional embarrassment," though he said he was "comforted" by Plant's visit and what he heard.
What's being done?
The contamination's ongoing impact on Kinghorn and its beach was also raised directly with Plant. STV News reported that he met with residents to discuss it.
Residents handed Plant a petition signed by more than 1,000 people calling for action. Ward said Scottish Water's commitment was to fix the problem, whatever it takes.
The repair could be quick if investigators locate the source. Otherwise, a wider survey would be needed, taking a year and extending the investigation further.
Meanwhile, SEPA said it is working with Fife Council, Scottish Water, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, and NHS Fife to address pollution affecting the burn. The agency said it continues to use the regulatory tools permitted under its enforcement guidance and policy and relevant laws.
"Obviously, the fact this has been going on for years is unacceptable," Ward said. "Scottish Water has said they will fix the problem whatever it takes. We want that to happen as quickly as possible because the situation is intolerable, it makes people ill, it's bad, and it's bad for the local economy as well."
Where can I learn more?
Sewage contamination is threatening public health and local livelihoods well beyond Kinghorn.
• In Devon, bathing waters shut again after a sewage discharge, drawing criticism from an MP.
• In Leven, Fife, residents say rain sends raw sewage toward homes, with relief years away.
• In Florida, officials warned against swimming and irrigation after wastewater spilled into the Intracoastal.
• In Massachusetts, oyster farmers say sewage-linked closures threaten farms along the state's South Coast.
• In Carlisle, Massachusetts, a couple reopening a general store uncovered a townwide sewage crisis.
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