Scottish Bathing Water Results, 1998
Issued on 29 September 1998 - Ref 34/98

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency today published the final results from the 1998 monitoring of Scotland’s 23 identified bathing waters. The results are the worst for 10 years, with only 12 of the identified waters passing the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standards. Only 3 of these complied with the more stringent guideline values. This compares unfavourably with last year when 18 passed and 5 complied with guideline values.

SEPA monitored the waters over the bathing season (June to mid-September) for bacteria which are indicators of contamination by faecal material, including sewage and sewage effluents.

SEPA’s Head of Water Policy, Mr. Colin Bayes, commented

"Without question, the poor summer has contributed to the poor results in two ways. Firstly, ultra-violet light kills off faecal bacteria and the prolonged cloudy conditions with low sunshine hours will have resulted in a slow die-off rate of bacteria in the marine environment. Secondly, the high rainfall has caused more frequent operation of overflows from sewerage systems and an increase in diffuse sources of pollution from land run-off.

"The results highlight the importance of research into the causes of the failures. Particularly important is the study being undertaken by Professor Kay of the University of Leeds into the poor compliance of the west coast bathing waters. Professor Kay’s work was begun last year. The field work was completed this month and the analysis of the data has commenced. SEPA expects to receive the final report in early 1999.

"Clearly, the results for 1998 are extremely disappointing, particularly at a time when the Secretary of State has announced a review of identified bathing waters in Scotland and has invited nominations for new waters to be considered for identification. SEPA will be assessing the results from this year and the findings of the west coast study in order to determine the actions required to reverse this unsatisfactory situation."

ENDS

NOTES

SEPA Web site

In 1998, for the first time, SEPA published its monitoring results ‘live’ on its Web site http://www.sepa.org.uk.

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.

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

Research: Following a number of failures on the Ayrshire coast in 1997, SEPA and West of Scotland Water commissioned a major research project to investigate the potential causes of the failures. The project is reviewing data from previous results, using modelling to predict the impact of discharges, for instance from sewage outflows, assessing actual discharges by testing with dyes and floats, and making recommendations for action. The Councils of North and South Ayrshire have joined SEPA and WoSWA on the project Steering Group. The final report is expected in early 1999.

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 1998. The report will be available from SEPA Public Affairs as soon as it is published.

SEPA Press Office contacts

Interim Press Officer: Joanna Ross. Tel: 01786 457724
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