SEPA has published its third Annual Report, which covers the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. It details some of the significant environmental gains which have been made during the past year.

Water quality

Steady progress has been made in improving the water quality of Scotland’s rivers, estuaries and coastal waters. For instance, since 1996, 27km of the most seriously polluted rivers have improved - that represents around 19% of the total length of seriously polluted rivers in Scotland. SEPA has also been proactive in promoting good practice in managing water habitats through its Habitat Enhancement Initiative. However, 1998 was not such a good year for bathing waters - of the 23 identified bathing waters in Scotland only 12 achieved the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard, compared to 18 in 1997. Sewage has been identified as the most significant pollutant, and the 1998 results were significantly influenced by the wet and cloudy summer.

Air quality

Some significant reductions in air emissions have been made as a result of new legislation, reviews of existing licences and proactively seeking improvements. For example, the installation of vapour recovery plant at BP Amoco’s Hound Point Terminal is reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds by some 30,000 tonnes per year.

Waste management

SEPA has also been proactive in tackling waste management issues in Scotland. The draft National Waste Strategy for Scotland was prepared in consultation with the waste industry, local authorities and many other interested public and non-government organisations. The strategy will be formally launched in December 1999, giving Scotland, for the first time, a strategic approach to waste management.

During the year SEPA participated in ‘Operation Spotlight’ in response to problems of illegal dumping of waste. The exercise resulted in twelve reports being submitted to the Procurators Fiscal. SEPA also launched a Waste Minimisation Initiative to support and co-ordinate waste minimisation in Scotland.

In launching the Annual Report, SEPA’s Chief Executive, Mr Alasdair Paton said:

"Last year we achieved a great deal. The benefits of a single national public body responsible for environmental improvement in Scotland are being realised. SEPA’s efforts are now demonstrably improving the performance of regulated sectors, resulting in some significant environmental gains."

A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts is available on SEPA’s Web Site at http://www.sepa.org.uk