Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Full Pass Marks For Scotland's Bathing Waters

14th September 2006

Photograph of Full Pass Marks For Scotland's Bathing Waters

All of Scotland's bathing beaches have passed the European standard water quality tests for the first time since monitoring began 20 years ago.

On the final day of the 2006 bathing waters season, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) can reveal that all of the 63 designated bathing waters have passed either EC 'mandatory' or stricter 'guideline' standards.

SEPA's Calum McPhail said: "We are extremely pleased by these results. Along with the continued improvement in our detailed knowledge of the causes and sources of pollution, SEPA is working together with the Scottish Executive, local authorities, NGOs, the farming community and with investment from Scottish Water, to deliver environmental improvements to Scotland's bathing waters."

Of the 63 sites monitored, 29 were of good quality meeting EC 'mandatory' standards for the season with 34 achieving 'guideline' standards and being of excellent quality and there were 0 sites recorded as being of poor quality.

SEPA has seen an annual trend of decreasing average pollution counts from all beaches, and have now more than half the average values of seven years ago.

Beach users have enjoyed Scotland's third driest summer on record. However there are still occasions, particularly following rainfall, when short pollution events can and do occur. For example, early July saw two consecutive poor quality samples at Carnoustie which took place after thunderstorms and localised heavy rainfall. An investigation identified the source of pollution from an input to a local burn which was dealt with immediately.

In line with the EC Bathing Waters Directive, additional sampling took place and throughout the rest of the summer, water quality at Carnoustie returned to excellent quality status.

Dr McPhail said: "SEPA is committed to achieving and maintaining full compliance of this directive and we have worked and will continue to do so with others to deliver this. This will be particularly important over the next five years as we move towards new beach management requirements and more stringent European standards"

SEPA's electronic beach signage network, internet, phoneline and text messaging
services, which provided daily forecasts on predicted water quality at selected sites across Scotland, were again a success.

In 2005 the Annual Sepa Beach Report on dunnet Was as Follows -
Dunnet Bay was identified as a bathing water in 1999. Good quality was recorded in 2005 and there have been no failures since 1998. The input of sewage from Castletown has previously affected the quality of the bathing water in Dunnet Bay. As part of ongoing investment to ensure water quality in the identified area is improved, Scottish Water will install a WWTW on a new site further from the bathing water in early 2006. This will remove this source of potential pollution. To ensure that bathing water quality is protected until that time, Scottish Water have installed a disinfection unit (using peracetic acid) on the discharge at Castletown as an interim measure.
The adequacy of the septic tanks serving the small settlement at Dunnet and a caravan park at the northern end of the bay are also under review. Again as a temporary measure, Scottish Water provided peracetic acid dosing to the Dunnet discharge during the 2005 season. After discussions with SEPA, a new disinfection holding tank was
installed this year. This gives an improved 25-minute contact time between sewage effluent and disinfectant. The improved system was tested during the bathing season using on-the-spot microbiological analysis of the discharge from this tank. This showed that the upgraded system was reducing bacterial concentrations to a very low level.
Other potential pollution sources have been checked this year but no new sources found.

The works to upgrade the systems at Castletown have been held up for some time as Wayleave arrangements had not been finally agreed with landowners. The works started some time ago have lain with little happening for some months but it is hoped that the work will be completed in the near future. The completion the works will ultimately make a difference to the quality of sea water in the are of Dunnet Bay.

Full results of all of the beaches monitored are available online at
www.sepa.org.uk/bathingwaters

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Working together for the North Highland water environment
Protecting and enhancing the natural waters of the North Highland area is a huge task involving many organisations and communities, and Scotland's environment watchdog is urging all those with an interest to get involved.   The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is asking interested local communities and businesses to read the draft River basin management plans (RBMP) and Local area management plans (AMP) and feed back whether they think the plans are comprehensive enough, how they can help to achieve the aims of the plans, and how we can all work together to achieve them.  
New environmental regulations needn't be costly
In the current economic climate it is essential businesses are prepared for new regulations, as failure to comply could lead to increased costs.   NetRegs (www.netregs.gov.uk) is a free UK website offering environmental guidance for businesses and is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  
Scotland's recycling rate continues to rise
Scotland's recycling and composting rate continues to make steady progress.  Figures released today (Friday 13 February), by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), show that Scotland's annual recycling and composting rate rose to 32.9% for the year October 2007 to September 2008.  
New approach to improving the future health of Scotland's water
Scotland's environment watchdog has found that 57% of Scotland's water is in good condition, or better.  This provides an excellent basis for our future livelihoods, economy and recreation.  
NORTH-EAST FARMER FINED FOR RIVER POLLUTION
A north-east farmer was fined £2000 for allowing diesel to enter surface water drains and into a tributary of the River Ythan causing pollution of the river.   Mr Roger Glennie from the Hillhead of Ardo Farm, Methlick, Ellon pled guilty today (21 January 2009) to a contravention of legislation designed to protect the water environment.  
SEPA cuts red tape in waste regulations
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced further steps to reduce bureaucracy, while still ensuring high levels of environmental protection.   Changes have been put in place to how SEPA enforces three sets of regulations; the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) and the Trans Frontier Shipment Regulations (TFS).  
Climate Change Plan for SEPA published
With the Climate Change Scotland Bill now in parliament, it is important that everyone starts thinking how they will contribute to the ambitious world leading targets set out in the Bill.   As Scotland's environment watchdog, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has a key role in addressing climate change and has today (19 December) published its climate change plan for SEPA.  
SEPA reveals 10-point plan to support economic activity
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has developed, with Government, a 10-point Plan to support economic activity during the current difficulties.  The aim is to help the economy whilst also protecting the environment and the health and well being of communities across Scotland.  
SEPA urges everyone to have a safe and happy Bonfire Night
Now that the evenings are getting darker, and colder, many people are starting to think about Autumnal celebrations like Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night.  While huddling round a blazing bonfire is an important part of the celebrations, and a good way to keep warm, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is reminding everyone that careful consideration needs to be given to what goes on any pyres.  
SEPA's launches flood campaign after Scotland's stormy summer
From soggy summers to wet winters, flooding can be a problem in Scotland at any time of the year.  Following on from one of the wettest summers for some parts of Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is launching its annual flood awareness campaign today (27 October).