Following reports of a pollution incident in the River Esk, SEPA officers were out on site to investigate in the Musselburgh area yesterday and today.

Water samples were taken and will be analysed at SEPA labs.

Officers have identified the source of the pollution and are confident it is no longer discharging into the water environment. While there will continue to be discolouration and a strong odour in the River Esk and its tributary, this is expected to decrease over the next few days.

SEPA are continuing to investigate the cause of the pollution. They will continue to monitor the situation and will provide a further update in due course.

Council officers have also been in attendance and working in support of the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“On 14 January SEPA received reports of a pollution incident in the River Esk in the Musselburgh area. Our officers attended the site yesterday and returned today to continue our investigation into the source of pollution.

“Water samples were taken and will be analysed at our laboratories in Eurocentral, Lanarkshire.

“Officers have identified the source of the pollution and are confident it is no longer discharging into the water environment. There will continue to be discolouration and a strong odour in the River Esk, and its small tributary, because of the incident. This will decrease over the next few days.

“We are continuing to investigate the cause of the pollution, and are unable to comment further at this stage due to the potential for enforcement action.

“SEPA will continue to monitor the situation and will provide a further update in due course.

“We are grateful to the public for reporting the pollution.”

Published: Saturday, 15th January 2022