This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pilot project to clean up bathing waters
03/12/2003
A £2.5 million pilot scheme to introduce innovative biogas technology toScotlandto reduce pollution of bathing waters was announced today.
It comprisesthe award of a contract to pilot the use of biogas or composting techniques to reduce diffuse pollution from farms entering coastal bathing waters.
Up to 10 farms in south westScotlandwill be invited to take part in the project in catchments next to the Saltcoats and Sandyhills bathing waters.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson said:
"Scotlandrecorded its best ever bathing water figures this year which is very encouraging forScotland's tourist industry. But we cannot be complacent - we need to continue to work at reducing levels of diffuse pollution and meet our priority for delivering a clean and safe environment.
"This project is innovative and will add to our understanding of the ways to address the impacts of diffuse pollution on our bathing waters.
"Scotland's farmers have an important role in managing the impacts of their activities on the environment. They have a critical role in ensuring the success of this project.
"Sound environmental practice can make good business sense too. It is hoped that there will be additional benefits for participating farms, for example, renewable energy or heat exchange as well as being able to use treated slurry or manure that is made easier and safer to spread on fields.
We expect this pilot to demonstrate the type of win-win solutions central to our Agricultural Strategy."
The project will operate under two separate contracts: (1) Covers Research, Design and Installation of the biogas or composting equipment, and (2) Quantity Surveying and financial checking of the works installed.
Contract 1 is to be let to a consortium of Greenfinch Ltd (based in Ludlow, Shropshire) and Enviros Consulting Ltd (based in Leith). Contract 2 is currently the subject of a competitive tender process.
In June the Executive announced a farm pilots project to address diffuse pollution with works being undertaken on a number of farms in four areas across Scotland.
This latest project is the next stage in an evolving range of projects investigating ways to overcome diffuse pollution.