header

SEPA Launches 1998 Bathing Water Quality Results
via the Internet
Issued on 6 July 1998 - Ref 27/98

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) today launched a new section on its award winning Website (http://www.sepa.org.uk) which contains up-to-date bathing water quality results from 23 of Scotland’s bathing waters this summer.

This new service marks a real first for SEPA and for Scotland. This is the first time that this information has been made widely available to the public during the official bathing season which in Scotland runs from 1 June to mid-September. This new facility will allow people to obtain up-to-date information on bathing water quality before heading out for a day at the beach. Information is only available for the 23 bathing waters which have been identified under the terms of the EC Bathing Water Directive.

"Bathing water quality continues to become a more significant issue and generates more interest every year" said Colin Bayes, Head of Policy Co-ordination (Water) at SEPA. "SEPA hopes that this new service will both inform the public and publicise our continuing efforts to improve bathing water quality throughout Scotland."

The Internet will be updated weekly with water quality results during the bathing season. A report containing a summary of 1998 bathing water quality results from Scotland’s identified bathing waters will be published in November 1998 and will also be available via the Agency’s Website.

ENDS

Note to Editors

1. The EC Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) defines the quality requirements for bathing water, lays down the sampling frequency, the measuring methods and the requirements with which these measurements must comply.

2. The 23 identified bathing waters in Scotland are:

North Coast East Coast West Coast
  • Nairn (East Beach)
  • Cullen
  • Fraserburgh
  • Aberdeen
  • Montrose
  • Arbroath (West Links)
  • Carnoustie
  • St Andrews (West Sands)
  • Kinghorn (Pettycur)
  • Aberdour (Silversands)
  • Gullane
  • Yellowcraigs
  • North Berwick (Milsey Bay)
  • Dunbar (Belhaven)
  • Pease Bay
  • Saltcoats/Ardrossan
  • Irvine-Gailes
  • Troon (South Beach)
  • Prestwick
  • Ayr (South Beach)
  • Turnberry
  • Girvan
  • Sandyhills

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 1998