Scottish Government

SCOTLAND'S BATHING WATERS: A strategy for improvement

CURRENT POSITION

3. From the 1999 bathing season ³ onwards, Scotland has had 60 bathing waters (58 coastal, 2 freshwater) identified under the 1991 Regulations, which give effect in Scots Law to the Bathing Waters Directive. They have the effect of making standards of the Directive specific requirements at identified bathing waters. Identified waters are sampled and monitored by SEPA to achieve demanding environmental and public health standards which apply across the European Union. Tourists from other EU countries are therefore familiar with the quality standards which apply, and can be confident about using our bathing waters where the appropriate standards are met. For this reason the Scottish Executive's commitment to achieving these standards is important to the tourism industry, as well as for the health and enjoyment of our own citizens.

4. "Bathing waters" are where bathing is explicitly authorised, or where it is not prohibited and traditionally practised by a large number of bathers ⁴. Prior to the 1999 season there were only 23 identified bathing waters in Scotland. In 1998 nominations were invited for further bathing waters, and the 80 resulting nominations were subsequently scrutinised by an independent panel, whose membership included the then Scottish Office, SEPA, Friends of the Earth (Scotland), Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Scottish Tourist Board, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and the water authorities. The 37 further identifications then made represented all those the panel felt able to identify on the basis of significant current usage. Scotland's number of bathing waters remains relatively low but reflects not only a climate which does not encourage bathing in Mediterranean style, but also the dispersal of a relatively low population around a relatively long coastline. These are among factors which mean that Scottish bathing waters cannot expect the same amount of use as those elsewhere in the European Union. Nevertheless, on a warm day in summer it is obvious that a visit to our bathing waters is a key leisure activity for Scots and our guests alike. The cleanliness of bathing water is also an important factor in the enjoyment even of those who do not actually go into it.

5. The key standards in the Regulations relate to microbiological contamination from faecal material. They set two levels of pass, mandatory and guideline. To reach European standards a mandatory pass must be achieved. The guideline standard, towards which we are working, is significantly more stringent. Microbiological standards are obviously particularly important for the protection of human health.

6. While the standards which apply across the European Union are uniform, climatic conditions vary greatly across Europe. For example, many continental beaches are shallow with strong, often prolonged sunshine, which acts as a free source of ultraviolet disinfectant. Climate change may reduce or exacerbate existing differences. It is therefore difficult to make comparisons among Member States ⁵. It is clear, however, that we have been some way from achieving the Scottish Executive's target. The table below shows the performance of Scottish bathing waters in each season from 1988 - 2001 inclusive:-

Source: SEPA

7. Despite continuing difficulties an improving trend is discernible over the 14 bathing seasons reported by SEPA. This improvement largely reflects work done by the local authorities and, since 1996, the water authorities, on improving sewage treatment. As work proceeds on sewage treatment, however, other sources of pollution are becoming more evident. Point sources of pollution, for example, a discharge pipe from a sewage treatment works, or a sewer overflow, are relatively easy to identify (though they may be expensive to remedy). Diffuse pollution - from a large number of small sources which individually may not be very important but which collectively have a significant impact - is more difficult to identify and remedy. The impact of diffuse pollution can also vary dramatically with the weather. Diffuse sources have most effect following periods of high rainfall, which washes polluting matter off fields and farmyards, or off roads and car parks, into the nearest watercourse - which then conveys this material to bathing waters. Wet weather also has the effect of triggering sewage overflows, thus making a bad situation worse. The poor results in 1998, for example, were largely due to the very wet summer that year.

8. A range of actions are in progress to tackle both point source and diffuse pollution. This kind of action in all sectors needs to be developed and made more systematic.