Monday 02 Jun 2008 @ 10:18
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Bathing water designations
The number of officially recognised bathing waters in Scotland has risen to its highest level ever.
Ahead of the 2008 bathing season, which officially begins on June 1, Minister for Environment Michael Russell announced the number of designated bathing waters has risen by a third to a total of 80.
This figure of 20 includes 19 new coastal locations stretching from north of Scotland to the south west and one new freshwater site at Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms.
Swimmers, surfers and paddling children at each new designated beach will benefit from improved water quality and a cleaner environment in future.
Mr Russell said:
"All of these new designations are already widely used by the public.
"Today's announcement means that the relevant authorities are now obliged to ensure that they measure up against the tough standards on bathing water set by Europe.
"Maintaining high standards of water quality is important to public health. The public need to have the confidence that they are swimming in the highest quality of water, even if at times the Scottish climate can make swimming a bit bracing.
"Recognised status also allows beaches the chance to win quality awards, including the prestigious Blue Flag, a valuable accolade in attracting tourists.
"After last year's rather miserable summer I hope that the 2008 bathing water season brings with it plenty of warmth, sunshine and the chance to take a dip in Scottish waters.
"Our beaches are a wonderful natural resource and I want to see that everyone has the chance to use them, and be aware that they are doing so safely.
"The task for SEPA, Scottish Water, the farming industry and the local authorities will be to ensure that the new designations become compliant with European law."
Member States are required to identify sites where there are large numbers of bathers present in order to afford them appropriate protection. The additional 20 sites are:
* Achmelvich, Highland
* Broad Sands, East Lothian
* Culzean, South Ayrshire
* Dhoon Bay, Dumfries and Galloway
* Findhorn, Moray
* Heads of Ayr, South Ayrshire
* Kinghorn (Harbour Beach), Fife
* Kirkcaldy (Seafield), Fife
* Leven, Fife
* Loch Morlich, Highland
* Lossiemouth (East), Moray
* Lunan Bay, Angus
* Lunderston Bay, Inverclyde
* Maidens, South Ayrshire
* Mossyard, Dumfries and Galloway
* Rosemarkie, Highland
* Seacliff, East Lothian
* Seamill , North Ayrshire
* Tentsmuir Sands, Fife
* Thurso, Highland
Sites for inclusion were supported by the independent Bathing Water Review Panel, established by Ministers to advise on Scottish bathing water designation policy.
Achmelvich, Kirkcaldy (Seafield) and Leven were designated on the basis of applications made to the Bathing Water Review Panel. The Panel consists of representatives from: the Association of Scottish Community Councils, CoSLA, the Marine Conservation Society on behalf of Scottish Environment Link, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Crown Estate and VisitScotland. Scottish Water and the Scottish Government were also kept informed but did not take part in the Panel's decision making. This is the last year of the Panel's operation in its current form. A new process for designations is currently being developed. All other designations had the full support of the Panel.
As well as the twenty new sites, the Panel was also asked to consider six existing sites for de-designation on the basis of low usage:
* Crail (Roome Bay), Fife
* Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire
* Dores, Highland
* Ganavan, Argyll and Bute
* Kinghorn (Pettycur), Fife
* St. Abbs, Scottish Borders
Evidence was required of increased usage for their retention. The Panel recommended the retention of all sites. The Minister chose to accept their recommendations with the exception of St. Abbs. While it still enjoys excellent water quality, it was not used for traditional bathing as required by the Directive.
Bathing waters have been designated under the new Bathing Water (Scotland) Regulations 2008 which transpose the revised Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). There are now 80 sites, three inland freshwater, the rest coastal. Official recognition requires that identified sites must meet certain water quality standards, in order to protect the health of bathers. Seven sites of the 61 existing in 2007 failed to meet quality standards. Failures followed periods of heavy rain.
The Government is committed to meeting the revised Directive's target of compliance by 2015. SEPA will be undertaking assessments at each of the new bathing waters to identify any potential risks to compliance. Scottish Water is continuing to invest in the public sewerage network to improve compliance, while SEPA and Scottish Water will be working together with farmers to ensure a successful implementation of the new good practice General Binding Rules.
Related Information
Ahead of the 2008 bathing season, which officially begins on June 1, Minister for Environment Michael Russell announced the number of designated bathing waters has risen by a third to a total of 80.
This figure of 20 includes 19 new coastal locations stretching from north of Scotland to the south west and one new freshwater site at Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms.
Swimmers, surfers and paddling children at each new designated beach will benefit from improved water quality and a cleaner environment in future.
Mr Russell said:
"All of these new designations are already widely used by the public.
"Today's announcement means that the relevant authorities are now obliged to ensure that they measure up against the tough standards on bathing water set by Europe.
"Maintaining high standards of water quality is important to public health. The public need to have the confidence that they are swimming in the highest quality of water, even if at times the Scottish climate can make swimming a bit bracing.
"Recognised status also allows beaches the chance to win quality awards, including the prestigious Blue Flag, a valuable accolade in attracting tourists.
"After last year's rather miserable summer I hope that the 2008 bathing water season brings with it plenty of warmth, sunshine and the chance to take a dip in Scottish waters.
"Our beaches are a wonderful natural resource and I want to see that everyone has the chance to use them, and be aware that they are doing so safely.
"The task for SEPA, Scottish Water, the farming industry and the local authorities will be to ensure that the new designations become compliant with European law."
Member States are required to identify sites where there are large numbers of bathers present in order to afford them appropriate protection. The additional 20 sites are:
* Achmelvich, Highland
* Broad Sands, East Lothian
* Culzean, South Ayrshire
* Dhoon Bay, Dumfries and Galloway
* Findhorn, Moray
* Heads of Ayr, South Ayrshire
* Kinghorn (Harbour Beach), Fife
* Kirkcaldy (Seafield), Fife
* Leven, Fife
* Loch Morlich, Highland
* Lossiemouth (East), Moray
* Lunan Bay, Angus
* Lunderston Bay, Inverclyde
* Maidens, South Ayrshire
* Mossyard, Dumfries and Galloway
* Rosemarkie, Highland
* Seacliff, East Lothian
* Seamill , North Ayrshire
* Tentsmuir Sands, Fife
* Thurso, Highland
Sites for inclusion were supported by the independent Bathing Water Review Panel, established by Ministers to advise on Scottish bathing water designation policy.
Achmelvich, Kirkcaldy (Seafield) and Leven were designated on the basis of applications made to the Bathing Water Review Panel. The Panel consists of representatives from: the Association of Scottish Community Councils, CoSLA, the Marine Conservation Society on behalf of Scottish Environment Link, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Crown Estate and VisitScotland. Scottish Water and the Scottish Government were also kept informed but did not take part in the Panel's decision making. This is the last year of the Panel's operation in its current form. A new process for designations is currently being developed. All other designations had the full support of the Panel.
As well as the twenty new sites, the Panel was also asked to consider six existing sites for de-designation on the basis of low usage:
* Crail (Roome Bay), Fife
* Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire
* Dores, Highland
* Ganavan, Argyll and Bute
* Kinghorn (Pettycur), Fife
* St. Abbs, Scottish Borders
Evidence was required of increased usage for their retention. The Panel recommended the retention of all sites. The Minister chose to accept their recommendations with the exception of St. Abbs. While it still enjoys excellent water quality, it was not used for traditional bathing as required by the Directive.
Bathing waters have been designated under the new Bathing Water (Scotland) Regulations 2008 which transpose the revised Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). There are now 80 sites, three inland freshwater, the rest coastal. Official recognition requires that identified sites must meet certain water quality standards, in order to protect the health of bathers. Seven sites of the 61 existing in 2007 failed to meet quality standards. Failures followed periods of heavy rain.
The Government is committed to meeting the revised Directive's target of compliance by 2015. SEPA will be undertaking assessments at each of the new bathing waters to identify any potential risks to compliance. Scottish Water is continuing to invest in the public sewerage network to improve compliance, while SEPA and Scottish Water will be working together with farmers to ensure a successful implementation of the new good practice General Binding Rules.
Related Information
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/bathingwaters
