Over 190 scientists and practitioners from 32 countries are converging on Edinburgh next week for a major international conference on water pollution.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is hosting The 3^rd IAWQ international Conference on Diffuse Pollution at the Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot Watt University Campus on Monday 31 August - Friday 4 September 1998.

Hosting the conference puts SEPA, and Scotland, at the forefront of developing solutions to this increasingly important environmental problem.

‘Diffuse pollution’ is pollution which doesn’t originate from a single source (like an outflow pipe) but from more widespread sources (for instance, polluted water ‘run off’ from roads and buildings or from pesticides sprayed onto fields). Because the pollution comes from these widespread sources, with no single company or person responsible for causing it, it cannot be controlled through the normal regulatory system.

The solutions lie in good practice and in the design of, for instance, drainage systems which can filter the pollution before it reaches watercourses. The conference is bringing together experts from all over the world to share experience and practical solutions to the problem.

The opening ceremony will take place on Monday 31 August 9.00 - 12.30hrs. At about 09.15, SEPA’s Chairman Professor William Turmeau will welcome Lord Sewell, Scottish Office Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries who will give a brief opening address. Also giving overview papers on Monday morning will be Vladimir Chour of the Hydroprojekt in Prague, and Tom Scheuler of the Centre for Watershed Protection in Maryland USA. Richard Moxon of the Department of Transport, the Environment and the Regions will give a paper on the control of diffuse pollution in the marine environment; Marianne Mul, of the Water Authority Hollandaise Eilanden en Waarden will talk on agricultural impacts in the Netherlands, and Prof Bryan Ellis of the London based Urban Pollution Research Centre will give a paper on "A sustainable option for stormwater quality management".

Representatives of the press are welcome to attend the opening session, or any time during the week. Contact Monica Straughan on 01786 457723 (office) 0421 942498 (mobile) 04325 390196 (pager) for further details.

Notes

SEPA is Scotland’s official environmental regulator, responsible for pollution control. Influencing the development of good practice to prevent or minimise pollution is one of its key aims. This conference is a major milestone in this respect.

IAWQ is the International Association for Water Quality, which works to promote the professional advancement of the science and practice of water quality management.