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PRESS STATEMENT
De-designation of High Natural Dispersion Areas
28 August 2000

Sarah Boyack, Minister for Transport and the Environment, today announced the withdrawal of the designation of 9 of Scotland?s 12 High Natural Dispersion Areas (HNDAs).

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) welcomes the Minister?s decision because it means that the sewage discharged into Scotland?s coastal waters will receive a higher level of treatment. This will lead to a reduction in water pollution and progress towards improving the quality of bathing and recreational waters.

The North of Scotland Water Authority has submitted Comprehensive Studies of the three remaining Scottish HNDAs (Stornoway, Kirkwall and Lerwick) to SEPA. The objective of these Studies is to assess whether primary treatment of sewage discharged into the sea would be sufficient to protect the area from any adverse effects. SEPA is presently considering these Studies with a view to deciding whether the absence of such adverse effects has been proven.


NOTES:

1. The EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive aims to protect the environment from being adversely effected by the disposal of insufficiently treated urban waste water. In most cases secondary treatment is required. In High Natural Dispersion Areas where it can be clearly demonstrated that there will not be any adverse effects, primary treatment of sewage effluent will be considered sufficient.

2. Details of the Ministerial announcement to which this statement refers can be obtained from the Scottish Executive press office on 0131 244 2530. The relevant press release can also be found on the Scottish Executive Website at www.scotland.gov.uk

ENDS

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