Completed sampling for the 2001 bathing water season in Scotland conducted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has demonstrated disappointing results this year. In response SEPA has announced that, in partnership with others, further action to improve national bathing water quality is to be taken

Each summer, SEPA monitors 60 identified bathing waters for compliance with the EC Bathing Water Directive standards. Newly-released figures for the 2001 season indicate that 51 of the identified waters met the mandatory bacterial environmental quality standards specified. This number of passes is the same as 2000. Furthermore, 40% of identified waters achieved the more stringent guideline standards in 2001, also matching last year's figure.

“Our goal is 100% compliance with European bathing water standards, and it is clear that we still have some way to go,” said Tom Inglis, SEPA’s Head of Policy Co-Ordination (Water) “Considerable sums of money have been spent in upgrading sewerage and sewage treatment and these have resulted in coastal water quality improvements throughout the country. Thus several beaches, particularly Portobello (West), Eyemouth and Rockcliffe, which failed to meet the required standards last year and have since been subject to improvement works, were satisfactory this year. Unfortunately other water quality problems remain. Some only became apparent this year, but all are being vigorously tackled to ensure water quality improvements are achieved.”

While sewage remains the most significant cause of poor bathing water quality in Scotland, research has shown that the run-off from farmland, where livestock graze and animal slurries are applied, can also pose pollution risks during stormy weather, as can other areas, such as car-parks. “The South West of Scotland is dominated by livestock farming and also experiences heavier rainfall. The contribution of diffuse sources of pollution to bathing water failures, both rural and urban, is being investigated. In the meantime, SEPA is keen to ensure that particular care is taken by farmers in such areas to collect, store and spread livestock slurries and animal manures with care”, explained Mr Inglis. “This is not an easy situation to resolve, but adherence by farmers and agricultural contractors to the recommendations in the Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution From Agricultural Activity will make a difference.”

Mr Inglis continued, “SEPA has a very good understanding of the factors affecting bathing water quality but we must re-double our efforts to assess and tackle specific pollution risks at individual sites.”

Accordingly, SEPA has announced that prior to the 2002 bathing season it will undertake the following:

• A rigorous assessment of each identified water to identify the key factors influencing bathing water quality at a local level
  
  
• Preparation of Environmental Quality and Improvement Plans designed to achieve compliance and reduce the overall risk of pollution by human and animal faecal matter. Immediate effort will be focused on those bathing waters that have previously failed to comply and those that are considered to be “at risk” of such failure in the future.
  
  

“SEPA cannot do this alone”, stated Mr Inglis. “Our dialogue with the Water Authorities and the Scottish Executive will continue to ensure that sewerage investment will deliver the targeted improvements required to ensure future compliance. Similarly, we must build upon our relationship with the farming community and agencies such as the Scottish Agricultural College and the NFU Scotland to promote farming practices that are practical, low-cost and which will contribute towards achieving good bathing water quality.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The Directive: The EC Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC) is designed to protect and enhance the quality of bathing waters throughout Europe. Scotland has 60 identified bathing waters, which are each tested annually 20 times between June and mid-September. The samples taken are tested for the presence of a number of parameters and 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. The mandatory standard is based on levels of faecal coliforms and total coliforms, which indicate the presence of pollution from human sewage or excreta from any other warm blooded animals, including dogs and livestock. For a bathing water to pass the mandatory requirements of the Directive, no more than one exceedance of a specified numeric standard in 20 samples per bathing season is allowed.

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

Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution From Agricultural Activity: Scottish Executive Code of Practice, produced in collaboration with SEPA and the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), which outlines good practice and associated legal requirements in respect of a wide range of agricultural practices. Copies can be obtained via the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, SEPA and SAC.

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. The report will be available from SEPA Public Relations in early 2002, and will also be available on the SEPA web-site.

Bathing Water Results for Scotland 2001