Scottish Bathing Water Results for 1998
Issued on 15 January 1999 - Ref 2/99
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency published the full Scottish Bathing Water Results report for 1998 today. Although the results of the designated beaches study have been available to the public on SEPA’s web site throughout the summer, this report includes the results from 93 non-identified waters, which are routinely sampled 20 times by SEPA during the bathing season. The report also includes details on SEPA’s new policy on microbiological standards in marine waters, designed to protect all Scottish marine waters, irrespective of designation.
Colin Bayes, SEPA Head of Water Policy commented:
"The results of all SEPA’s routine coastal and inland waters monitoring programme are included in this publication. The data on non-identified waters will be of particular interest in terms of the ministerial panel that is currently reviewing the designation of bathing waters in Scotland, following the nominations for designation by the public last Autumn. The new microbiological policy also shows SEPA’s commitment to protecting all of Scotland’s marine waters, not just designated waters."
Printed copies of the report are available from SEPA Public Affairs.
ENDS
NOTES
- SEPA Web site: In 1998, for the first time, SEPA published its monitoring results ‘live’ on its Website.
- 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.
ENDS
SEPA Press Office contacts
SEPA Public Affairs team - Direct telephone numbers: 01786 457723/4 Fax: 01786 448040
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 1999