Mixed News for Scotland as SEPA Announces 1997 Bathing Waters Results
Issued on 28 October 1997 - Ref 39/97

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced the 1997 bathing water quality results. All bathing waters in North and East Scotland have passed the EU mandatory standard*, with five also passing the higher guideline values**. However, five beaches in south west Scotland have failed the mandatory standard.

The results

Passes at mandatory standard: Nairn (East Beach), Cullen, Fraserburgh, Aberdeen, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Kinghorn (Perrycur), Yellowcraigs, North Berwick (Milsey Bay), Pease Bay, Turnberry, Prestwick, Troon (South Beach).

Passes at mandatory standard and guideline values: Montrose, St Andrews (West Sands), Aberdour (Silversands), Gullane, Dunbar (Belhaven)

Failures at mandatory standard: Sandyhills (Dumfries & Galloway), Girvan, Ayr (South Beach), Irvine-Gailes (New Town), Saltcoats/Ardrossan (South Beach).

SEPA Action

SEPA is pleased with the continuing success of 18 bathing waters which have passed, and the continuing upward trend of improvement. However, the failures of the bathing waters in the west of Scotland are worrying. All interested parties have agreed that major research work is required to find out what is causing the failures, and to determine the best solutions. John Beveridge, SEPA’s West Region Director voiced the Agency’s concern:

"Last year we were pleased to announce that only two beaches in Scotland had failed the mandatory standard, and we were hopeful that improvement measures underway for Girvan and Turnberry would rectify those problems in the near future. It is a matter of great concern to us that failures have occurred on the Ayrshire coast, especially since the causes aren’t clear. For instance, there appears to be no consistent correlation with the ‘usual suspects’ - the operation of sewage outfalls or unusual weather events.

"We urgently need to find out why this is happening so we can ensure that the right steps are taken to prevent it recurring. SEPA and West of Scotland Water have embarked on a major collaborative research project in conjunction with local Councils to investigate the causes of the failures. We expect the research to get underway in December, and it is likely to run for six months. As soon as we have some answers we will be able to start making progress towards long term improvements.

"On a more positive note, the bathing water at Turnberry passed this year for the first time since sampling began 10 years ago. This can be attributed to the new chlorination schemes now being operated by the Turnberry Hotel and by West of Scotland Water at the Kirkoswald sewage treatment works. The pass rates for bathing waters in other parts of the country are also heartening, particularly where they have passed the stringent EU Guideline Value. SEPA’s aim is to continue to ensure water quality standards are maintained across the country, whether the beaches are identified as EU bathing waters or not."

NOTES

*Mandatory standard: the water quality standard set by the EU, which member states must observe. If achieved, a mandatory pass indicates good water quality. SEPA tests water quality by taking water samples and carrying out biological tests to look for bacteria which indicate the presence of pollution from human sewage or livestock excrement.

**Guideline values: EU water quality standard which is stricter than the mandatory standard and, if achieved, indicates excellent water quality.

Research: SEPA and West of Scotland Water have agreed to commission a major research project to investigate the potential causes of the failures. The project will review data from previous results, use modelling to predict the impact of discharges, for instance from sewage outflows, assess actual discharges by testing with dyes and floats, and make recommendations for action. The project is likely to cost over £50k. SEPA has committed £10k; West of Scotland Water Authority will fund the remainder. The Councils of North and South Ayrshire have also agreed to join SEPA and WOSWA on the project Steering Group. The project is likely to be begin in December.

The Directive: The EC ‘Council Directive of 8 December 1975 concerning the quality of bathing water’ is designed to protect and enhance the quality of bathing waters throughout Europe. Scotland has 23 designated bathing waters, which are each tested annually 20 times between June and September. The samples taken are tested for the presence of a number of parameters, the two most important of which are total coliforms and faecal coliforms. For a bathing water to pass the mandatory requirements of the Directive, only one failure is allowed in these standards per year. It is the responsibility of SEPA to carry out the sampling and associated analytical work.

Full report: SEPA is currently collating all the data from its monitoring of bathing waters and other recreational waters, and is preparing a report for publication before the end of November. The report will be available from SEPA Public Affairs as soon as it is published.

ENDS

SEPA Press Office contacts

Press Officer: Maggie Hamilton. Tel: 01786 457724 Mobile 0370 686073
Head of Public Affairs: Monica Straughan. Tel: 01786 457723 Mobile 0421 942498

SEPA Head Office, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, STIRLING FK9 4TR
Tel: 01786 457700 Fax: 01786 448040

Contact SEPA Public Affairs at publicrelations@sepa.org.uk

© SEPA 1997