• About us
• Air
• Climate change
• Flooding
• Land
• Planning
• Radioactive substances
• Waste
• Water
• Bathing waters
• Results
• Bathing water signage
• Bathing waters designation
• Diffuse pollution
• Marine Science
• Monitoring and classification
• Protected areas
• Restoration fund
• River basin planning
• River levels
• Water regulation
• Water publications
• External links
• Science and research
• Customer information...

Bathing water signage: Background information

SEPA provides daily information on predicted water quality at 11 EC bathing water sites:

• Ayr (south beach);
• Prestwick;
• Troon (south beach);
• Irvine;
• Saltcoats/Ardrossan;
• Ettrick Bay in south-west Scotland;
• Brighouse Bay;
• Sandyhills on the Solway coast;
• Portobello (Central), near Edinburgh;
• Eyemouth;
• Aberdeen.

Information is displayed on electronic message signs at the bathing water sites and daily forecasts are also displayed on the SEPA website and are available via Beachline services:

Current Water Qulity Prediction

Map of signage sites in East of Scotland	Map of signage sites in Aberdeen Area	Map of signage sites in West Coast of Scotland
[Click on the thumbnail to view larger image]	[Click on the thumbnail to view larger image]	[Click on the thumbnail to view larger image]

• Beachline phone message
  Dial 08452 30 30 98 and follow instructions.
  
  
• Beachline text number
  07797 806503 – text the first name of the beach and await text reply.
  
  Replies:
  Good = Good water quality is predicted today
  Poor = Bathing not advised today. Risk of poor water quality
  
  Additional messages being trialled:
  Excellent = Excellent water quality is predicted today

The reinstallation of these signs follows a successful two year pilot project, funded and initiated by the then Scottish Executive.

The bathing waters, although generally of a high quality, have been shown previously to be at risk of not meeting European standards on some occasions during or after wet weather.

The electronic message signs allow SEPA to advise beach users with a daily forecast of predicted water quality – both good conditions and occasionally predicting risk of failure against EU standards. For Aberdeen, an additional option includes a prediction of excellent water quality, which is the EC Directive's highest quality (guideline) standard.

What does the electronic message system do?

This system provides a forecast and prediction of the likely water quality relating to the EU standards for bathing water. This is based on relevant environmental (mainly rainfall) events from previous days. It does not describe an actual report of water quality testing.

• Risk decisions are made by accessing SEPA's extensive rainfall and hydrological information network, and making a daily sign message management decision. The sign status is then updated via the computer control station, which then selects the relevant version of the text message. The systems employed by SEPA have been validated and deemed acceptable and reasonably accurate during a two year trial period.

Who is involved?

The bathing waters signs are now managed by SEPA, following the success of a pilot project that was funded and initiated by the then Scottish Executive.

Other participants include Faber Maunsell (consulting engineers), Clean Coast Scotland, local authorities and Gillespie Leisure for the two Solway coast sites – who have all been consulted and involved in developing the project to date.

Why has this been done?

This system provides better public information: the signs and daily forecasts play a key role in providing better information as required by the 2006 Bathing Water Directive and they integrate with overall beach management regimes.

All the main coastal sewage discharges in south west Scotland now have full biological treatment provided to protect the environment and bathing water quality. This treatment is fully in accordance with European standards (eg as prescribed by the EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive). Much work has also been done to reduce run-off from farms in the catchment areas into rivers and streams flowing to the sea near bathing waters. Despite these extensive improvements, the risk of short-lived pollution during or following substantial rainfall events remains. The purpose of the signage project is to warn the public when these conditions may exist.

The signs are not intended as an alternative to environmental improvements and action to reduce pollution, but to provide additional public information. Efforts to reduce or eliminate potential sources of pollution are continuing, and are expected to reduce the frequency with which potential poor quality warnings have to be issued.