Lib Dems demand statement on SNP “poisoning” rivers and beaches

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today demanded a statement from the Environment Secretary after an investigation by The Ferret found that more than half of Scotland’s most popular beaches for wild swimming were polluted with unsafe levels of sewage this summer, including Lower Largo beach in Fife where faecal bacteria was found to be 50 times the legal limit due to sewer overflows.

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie, whose constituency borders Lower Largo, said:

“Our beaches should be enjoyed by everyone but no one will want to paddle or swim if they think they are taking a dip in water polluted by filth and waste.

“If this is deemed acceptable, then it is evidence that ministers and the Government-owned water company are out of their depth. The Environment Secretary needs to come to Parliament to face our calls for a ban on dumping on Scotland’s best beaches and to explain why her government keeps allowing spills which are poisoning our beaches, rivers and waterways.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats also want to see sewage discharges properly recorded and published to uncover the true scale of the problem, legally-binding targets to tackle sewage dumping and measures to upgrade Scotland's Victorian sewage systems. It’s time to end the sewage scandal.”