This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Plans to improve bathing waters
12/03/2002
Plans to improve the quality of Scotland's bathing waters were outlined in the Scottish Parlioament today.
Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development Allan Wilson said that a bathing water strategy would protect and improve the quality of Scottish bathing waters.
Mr Wilson said:
"Research and experience indicates that ensuring the quality of our bathing waters is a complex issue. Bathing waters can be affected by pollution from a variety of sources, such as sewage discharges, industry, and run-off from built up areas and agricultural land. Tackling this is not simply a matter of improving sewage treatment, though current investment by the water industry should pay dividends.
"A whole range of sectors potentially need to take action that will contribute to the improvement of the environment and the cleanliness of our rivers and coastal bathing waters. Our bathing water strategy will promote co-ordinated actions to address these issues.
"The strategy will demonstrates the Executive's commitment to carrying out its pledge to improve bathing waters. By ensuring the good quality of our bathing waters we will not only improve the environment, but also protect public health and promote recreation and tourism."
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development referred to the preparation of the bathing water strategy in his reply to Scott Barrie's Parliamentary question about meeting European standards for Scottish Beaches (S10-4810).
The strategy is one of the means by which the Scottish Executive is taking action to meet European bathing water quality standards at all 60 Scottish bathing waters.
The strategy has been drawn up in consultation with a number of groups and organisations, notably SEPA, the Water Authorities, the NFU Scotland and also a range of environmental NGOs including Keep Scotland Beautiful and the WWF. It builds on an extensive programme of research sponsored by the Executive into bathing water pollution in Ayrshire.
As a forerunner to the strategy, the Executive has sponsored the Scottish Agricultural College's workshops in Ayrshire and other catchment areas to advise farmers about actions they can take to avoid agricultural pollution from contributing to bathing water failures.
The strategy is due to be published later this month. It will be distributed to stakeholders with a role in preventing or minimising pollution at bathing waters. Its main function for them is to provide a formal reference point around which they may draw up their own strategies. For others, such as farmers, it will explain why SEPA and others need their co-operation. In the strategy, SEPA will be tasked with ensuring the successful outcome of that the necessary pollution reduction measures.