95% Of Scottish Bathing Waters Meet Or Exceed European Standards

Scotland's bathing water season got off to a really good start in the early weeks and, despite wet weather sweeping much the country later in July and August, by the end of summer our bathing waters overall achieved a similar number of passes to last year but also had notable progress at some locations.

Monitoring results released today by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) show that 95% of Scotland's bathing waters finished the season having achieved "mandatory" bathing water quality or better, and overall only 1.7% of samples were below European standards. Nearly half of Scotland's 83 official bathing waters (48%, 40 in total), met the more stringent 'guideline' standard for water quality. Results for individual beaches can be found on SEPA's website.

Relatively sunny, and mostly dry weather, for May and June meant that initial bathing water quality was good but, as in previous years, torrential rain did result in some later failing samples. Four bathing waters failed for the season; Lossiemouth East, Sandyhills, Irvine and Eyemouth.

It is widely accepted that Scotland's changeable weather patterns and heavy summer rains can have a deleterious impact on water quality. SEPA and our partner organisations shall continue working towards reducing the causes of poor bathing water, such as agricultural run-off and overflows from drains, but we are also giving the public much better information about water quality to allow them to make informed choices.

This year SEPA expanded the daily prediction and signage system with 12 new beach message signs and the launch of a trial smart phone app. This season was amongst the best yet for the accuracy of our bathing water predictions and advisory notices. On over 99% of days the daily advice given to the public was correct or precautionary and we correctly predicted 85% of poor samples at locations with bathing water signs.

Official profiles for each bathing water, available on the SEPA website, also give information as to which bathing waters are at risk of poor water quality after heavy rainfall. From next season this information will also be posted, as required by the revised Bathing Water Directive, on signage at all beach locations.

Environmental quality manager Calum McPhail said:

"Whilst it is always disappointing to see any failed water quality sample, this season's success stories should also be celebrated. Monifeith, which was a new location added this year after being put forward for designation with strong local community support, achieved a clear guideline status. Also Ettrick Bay on Bute, for years one of our worst-performing bathing waters, comfortably passed and indeed was only two results short of meeting the more stringent guideline standard."

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"Good water quality is important for our bathing waters. Clean, safe beaches are essential to tourism and the leisure pursuits of the people of Scotland, which provide valuable income to many seaside communities. It is good to see our world-leading electronic message signs continue to provide accurate information, to beach users, on the quality of the bathing water."