Tag: bathing waters

Check the weather, check the water urges SEPA

Water quality information at your fingertips as Scotland’s bathing waters season begins

  • 98% of Scotland’s designated bathing waters meet water quality standards.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are encouraging visitors to “check the weather, check the water” via SEPA’s bathing waters website before heading to one of the country’s designated bathing waters this season.

Scotland has 89 designated bathing waters around the country, from Dunnet in Caithness to Brighouse Bay in Kirkcudbright, and 98% will meet or exceed the Sufficient classification for 2024, with 84% achieving the higher standards of Excellent or Good. 

Last year Scotland started the season with the highest number of bathing waters ever, after the designation of Wardie Bay in Edinburgh and the re-designation of Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian. In 2024 the country starts with the best water quality on record as both begin the season rated as ‘Good’.

The full list of bathing water classifications is available on SEPA’s website.

Check the water

The season begins on the 1st of June and runs until the 15th of September. During this time, SEPA’s specialist teams will be checking the water by collecting and analysing around 1,500 water samples from all designated bathing waters. These provide regular water quality information which is published on online.

The results also form part of the four-year rolling data set that determines the classification for each bathing water every season.

SEPA’s website and electronic messaging signs, which operate at 30 bathing waters, are updated at 10am every day with real-time water quality predictions. Although generally of a high quality, the bathing waters can be affected by heavy rain and results can be accessed at sepa.org.uk/checkthewater so people can check before they travel.

SEPA can also make people aware of any abnormal pollution events that may impact water quality via this page, as well as using the network of electronic signs and physical signs posted by local authorities and other partners at all other beaches.

Check the weather

While sunny weather always draws more people to bathing waters, it’s important to not just check the weather on the day you go. It is recommended that users do not bathe for one to two days after heavy rain – and beaches with SEPA electronic signs will warn against bathing when poor water is predicted.

Our climate impacts on water quality, and heavy rain can wash contaminants off both rural and urban land and can cause overflows from sewage systems. These overflows prevent systems being overwhelmed with rainwater and backing up into homes and businesses.

Altogether the combination of water quality predictions and information about abnormal pollution events shared by SEPA, plus awareness of recent rainfall events and the potential impact allows people to check the water at any bathing water they plan to visit to make an informed decision whether to bathe or enjoy on-land activities.

Ruth Stidson, SEPA’s Principal Scientist for bathing waters, said: “Scotland has the highest ever number of designated bathing waters, with the best water quality since 2015, when tighter standards first came into force.

“We know there’s many physical and mental health benefits of being outdoors and beaches can offer great spaces for that. They are regularly used by coastal communities, as well as by groups for water-based activities. Scotland has a mixture of urban and rural bathing waters, and many are accessible by walking or public transport, often making them a budget-friendly option. Visitors often plan a whole day around being at the water, which can also benefit local economies.

“We encourage everyone planning to visit our beautiful bathing waters this summer to check the weather, check the water before they leave for their day out and ensure they have the best information possible to enjoy their time in our stunning Scottish environment.”

Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy said: “We now have the highest number of designated Bathing Water sites ever, with 98% of Scotland’s bathing waters currently achieving the bathing water quality standards and 84% being rated “good” or “excellent”.

“However, we are not complacent and we continue to work closely with SEPA and Scottish Water to monitor and improve water quality on our designated beaches and in our designated lochs.

“We want to ensure that as many people as possible are able to continue to safely enjoy them throughout this summer and beyond and I would encourage everyone to make use of SEPA’s resources and information to help make an informed decision about where and when to bathe.”

Protecting and improving water quality

SEPA’s monitoring data provides crucial evidence to drive investment and improvement in both rural and urban areas. We regulate and work with businesses, farmers and land managers across the country protect and improve water quality. This approach will continue to deliver real progress in the coming years for the future of our water environment.

Communities and visitors can help to protect our water environment, including beaches and bathing waters.

Visitors are encouraged to bag and bin dog poo, bin litter or take it away, and avoid feeding gulls as that can attract them to areas in higher numbers.

Every year Scottish Water teams deal with around 36,000 blockages, costing customers about £7 million annually, and around 80% of those are caused by people flushing the wrong items down the toilet – particularly wet wipes – or pouring fats, oil and grease down the sink. These meld to cause blockages in the sewer system and can contribute to spills of pollution into the environment.

Professor Simon Parsons, Director of Environment, Planning and Assurance at Scottish Water said: “We would echo SEPA’s call for people to check the weather and the water before swimming at a designated bathing water.

“Scottish Water is committed to continuing to support the protection and improvement of Scotland’s rivers and coastal waters and we are very pleased that almost all bathing waters meet or exceed the “sufficient” classification and that 84% are “excellent” or “good”.

“We check almost 500 of our assets before and during the bathing season to ensure they are delivering the level of service we expect.

“We look forward to playing our part in ensuring bathing waters become destinations for people to enjoy Scotland’s fantastic coastal waters. 

“Scottish Water has invested £2.7 billion in improving and maintaining the country’s public drainage system and infrastructure over more than the past decade to help improve our waters.

“Our Improving Urban Waters Routemap, which supports the national River Basin Management Plan objectives (92% good water quality by 2027), commits us to additional investment of up to £500m to further improve water quality.”

Full list of 2023/24 classifications

  • Aberdeen – Excellent
  • Aberdour (Silversands) – Excellent
  • Aberdour Harbour (Black Sands) – Good
  • Achmelvich – Excellent
  • Anstruther (Billow Ness) – Excellent
  • Arbroath (West Links) – Good
  • Ayr (South Beach) – Good
  • Balmedie – Excellent
  • Barassie – Good
  • Brighouse Bay – Good
  • Broad Sands – Good
  • Broughty Ferry – Excellent
  • Burntisland – Good
  • Carnoustie – Excellent
  • Carrick – Good
  • Coldingham – Excellent
  • Collieston – Good
  • Crail (Roome Bay) – Excellent
  • Cruden Bay – Excellent
  • Cullen Bay – Excellent
  • Culzean – Excellent
  • Dhoon Bay – Sufficient
  • Dores – Sufficient
  • Dornoch – Excellent
  • Dunbar (Belhaven) – Sufficient
  • Dunbar (East) – Good
  • Dunnet – Excellent
  • Elie (Harbour) and Earlsferry – Excellent
  • Elie (Ruby Bay) – Excellent
  • Ettrick Bay – Good
  • Eyemouth – Sufficient
  • Findhorn – Excellent
  • Fisherrow Sands – Good
  • Fraserburgh (Philorth) – Excellent
  • Fraserburgh (Tiger Hill) – Good
  • Gairloch Beach – Excellent
  • Ganavan – Excellent
  • Girvan – Sufficient
  • Gullane – Excellent
  • Heads of Ayr – Good
  • Inverboyndie – Good
  • Irvine – Good
  • Kinghorn (Harbour Beach) – Poor
  • Kinghorn (Pettycur) – Good
  • Kingsbarns – Excellent
  • Kirkcaldy (Seafield) – Excellent
  • Largs (Pencil Beach) – Good
  • Leven – Sufficient
  • Loch Morlich – Excellent
  • Longniddry – Good
  • Lossiemouth (East) – Good
  • Lower Largo – Poor
  • Lunan Bay – Excellent
  • Lunderston Bay – Good
  • Luss Bay – Sufficient
  • Machrihanish – Excellent
  • Maidens – Sufficient
  • Millport Bay – Excellent
  • Monifieth – Good
  • Montrose – Excellent
  • Mossyard – Good 
  • Nairn (Central) Good
  • Nairn (East) – Good
  • North Berwick (Milsey Bay) – Sufficient
  • North Berwick (West) – Excellent
  • Pease Bay – Excellent
  • Peterhead (Lido) – Excellent
  • Portobello (Central) – Sufficient
  • Portobello (West) – Sufficient
  • Prestwick – Excellent
  • Rockcliffe – Good
  • Rosehearty – Good
  • Rosemarkie – Good
  • Saltcoats/Ardrossan – Good
  • Sand Beach – Excellent
  • Sandyhills – Good
  • Seacliff – Good
  • Seamill – Good
  • Seton Sands – Good
  • Southerness – Good
  • St Andrews (East Sands) – Excellent
  • St Andrews (West Sands) – Excellent
  • Stonehaven – Good
  • Thorntonloch – Excellent
  • Thurso – Good
  • Troon (South Beach) – Excellent
  • Wardie Bay – Good
  • Whitesands – Excellent
  • Yellow Craig – Sufficient

SEPA: ‘98% of Scottish bathing waters continue to meet strict environmental standards’

WARDIE BAY RANKS ‘GOOD’ FOR WILD SWIMMERS

In 2024 98% of Scotland’s bathing waters will again meet or exceed the Sufficient classification – with 84% achieving the higher standards of Excellent or Good, says the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

This long-term positive trend for Scottish bathing water quality has been demonstrated in sampling and analysis carried out by Scotland’s environment regulator over the summer. 

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) work with regulated operators and stakeholders across the country and have driven millions of pounds of investment to bring about changes needed to make our bathing waters a success story. 

For the 2024 bathing season Scotland’s bathing water classifications will be:   

  • 38 (43%) Excellent  
  • 37 (42%) Good  
  • 12 (13%) Sufficient  
  • 2 (2%) Poor 


Ruth Stidson, SEPA’s Principal Scientist for bathing waters, said: “Scotland started this bathing water season with more bathing waters than ever and a record-breaking number rated excellent. I’m delighted to say we’ll start next year just as strongly.  

“Our bathing waters have the best water quality since 2015, when tighter standards first came into force.  We now have an additional five designated bathing waters where we monitor water quality to protect human health. Over this time those with the highest excellent classification has increased from 17 to 38, and the number with a poor classification has fallen from 17 to two.  

“Being outdoors can provide many physical and mental health benefits. Our beaches offer opportunities for physical activities and social interaction and earlier this year I saw personally how much having a designated bathing water meant to the local community at Wardie Bay. 

“SEPA’s monitoring data has provided crucial evidence to drive millions in investment and we’ve worked with businesses, farmers and land managers across the country to help them understand how they can make changes to protect water quality.

“All these successes show that, while it can take time to see big improvements, they are possible – and SEPA will keep monitoring, reporting, enforcing, encouraging and challenging for the future of our water environment.” 

Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “Scotland now has the highest number of designated Bathing Water sites ever, with the vast majority classified as good or excellent.

“This demonstrates the benefits of our continued investment in protecting and improving bathing waters across the country. However we are not complacent and will continue to work closely with SEPA and Scottish Water to monitor and improve water quality, to make sure that as many people as possible are able to enjoy them.” 

Success stories for 2024 

Scotland’s newest bathing water, Wardie Bay in Edinburgh, will be rated as Good for its first classification in 2024. The location was designated by Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Màiri McAllan, following an application from Wardie Bay Beachwatch and The Wild Ones  

Just along the coast in East Lothian, the first bathing water in Scotland to be re-designated will also be classified as Good. Fisherrow Sands was de-designated in 2020 following five years of Poor classifications.

It was re-designated following work between SEPA, the Scottish Government, Scottish Water, East Lothian Council and wider stakeholders to drive improvements. Over £3 million has been spent on works to upgrade wastewater pumping stations, resolve multiple misconnections and make improvements to the sewer network to reduce spills.   

Future challenges 

Pressures on bathing waters can include overflows from the drainage network and misconnections from homes and businesses.

Agricultural run-off and bacteria from dog fouling and gulls can also be factors. Some sites have a legacy of complex inter-linked issues that need individual assessments and unique solutions. 

The two bathing waters with a Poor classification, Kinghorn (Harbour Beach) and Lower Largo, both have ongoing improvement plans in place.  

Kinghorn (Harbour Beach) had been achieving Sufficient after previous work was carried out by Scottish Water. Following a Poor classification last year, an enhanced monitoring program has been carried out to identify potential sources of pollution, SEPA will continue to work with regulated operators and stakeholders to explore solutions to improve water quality at this location.  

At Lower Largo, SEPA has required Scottish Water to conduct comprehensive studies into the sewerage infrastructure to identify any necessary upgrade requirements.

Surveillance and monitoring has included CCTV and flow surveys of the sewer network; intensive water quality sampling of the sea and watercourses; a survey (via boats) to map the seabed; tidal current profile and dispersion testing to understand how discharges disperse to the sea and nearby rivers.

This work also identified some misconnected properties, which have now been connected to the public sewerage system correctly. 

Significant further work and investment are ongoing towards achieving the infrastructure improvements in the Lower Largo area necessary to bring about improved bathing water quality.  

Scots get back to the beach as summer season opens

  • Scots get back to the beach as summer season opens and two new locations added this year. 
  • Seaside and coastal locations play a major role in Scotland’s tourism industry – bringing international and domestic visitors into local communities. 
  • In 2019, 38% of international visitors visited a beach during their visit*. 
  • Of the 85 bathing waters sampled by SEPA last year, 99% are classified as sufficient or better for 2022.  
  • New-look bathing water signs will be installed over the summer at five locations on the west coast. 
  • Know the key steps to protect the water environment and ensure you stay safe near the water. 

Scotland’s bathing water season has officially begun, ready to welcome locals, international and domestic visitors to 87 locations around the country, playing a vital role in helping Scotland’s tourism industry recover after limited travel over the last few years.  

Of the 85 bathing waters sampled by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) last year, 99% are classified as sufficient or better for 2022. Thirty two (38%) are rated as ‘excellent’. 

Two new locations, Barassie in South Ayrshire and Lower Largo in Fife, were designated in May following successful applications, bringing the total number of official bathing waters for the 2022 season to 87. 

Bathing water boosts for tourism 

Continually ranked as one of the most beautiful countries in the world by British travel publisher Rough Guide, Scotland’s natural environment is world-renowned and provides ahigh motivation for people to visit. Its beaches range from remote, unspoilt Hebridean sands to golden stretches along northern and eastern coves and popular western shores – with three bathing waters on inland lochs. 

Trips to the beach provide valuable outdoor spaces for local residents and bring visitors to the shoreline for the day. They also result in overnight stays in communities, meals in local restaurants and cafes, and shopping in nearby locations – which can bring a real boost to the local economy. 

Figures from Visit Scotland show that in 2019 38% of international visitors visited a beach, during their visit. Domestic tourism resulted in 2.3 million overnight trips to seaside and coastal locations and generated £448m of expenditure for the Scottish economy. 

Designated bathing waters are sampled by SEPA regularly during the season, which runs until 15 September, and the results are published online. SEPA’s network of 29 bathing water signs show daily water quality information so visitors can decide whether they participate in water or land-based activities. Predictions are also published on SEPA’s website. 

This year SEPA will be installing six new totem-style bathing water information signs at five locations in the South West – replacing original units from 2003.  

  • Ayr (two signs) 
  • Irvine 
  • Prestwick 
  • Troon
  • Saltcoats/Ardrossan 

Ruth Stidson, Principal Scientist (Bathing Waters) at SEPA, said: “With Covid restrictions now eased, visitors will be flocking to our stunning coastlines and beaches. SEPA’s bathing water designations ensure beach users can make an informed decision on if they want to take part in water-based activities at 87 locations across the country.  

“Protecting and improving our bathing waters is crucial for our environment, our local economies which rely on beach tourism and our visitors, whether local, domestic or international. SEPA works every day to protect and enhance Scotland’s stunning environment and we are committed to ensuring all of Scotland’s designated bathing waters meet water quality standards. 

“We’ve seen a number of improvements over the last few years, as key projects have delivered positive changes. Partnership working between SEPA, Scottish Government, the farming sector, Scottish Water, Keep Scotland Beautiful, local authorities and communities has been vital to achieving better results. Further work is continuing this year to drive forward improvements this season and beyond.” 

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “There are now more official bathing water sites in Scotland than ever, which is great news for local communities, residents and tourists alike. 

“By investing in protecting and improving bathing waters across Scotland we have made sure many more people can continue to enjoy them with 99% of bathing waters passing bathing water quality standards in 2021.” 

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive VisitScotland said: “Scotland’s coastline is home to many stunning beaches and is a vital part of our tourism offering. From family-friendly day trips to water-based adventures, they offer a diverse range of experiences for visitors.  

“SEPA annual bathing water classifications provide helpful guidance for visitors and are a reminder of the important role we all have to play in protecting our natural landscapes.  

“As the summer season starts, we ask everyone to enjoy our waters safely and respectfully. We would urge visitors to follow water safety advice, guidance and signage and, to ensure our beaches are protected for the enjoyment of all, leave no trace of their visit.” 

The season was officially launched at Barassie in South Ayrshire, one of Scotland’s newest bathing waters. 

Ongoing improvement in water quality 

Previous SEPA water quality improvement projects have demonstrated bold and timely action from partnership working with organisation including Scottish Government, Scottish Water, the National Farming Union of Scotland (NFUS)  local communities, local authorities and Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB). Fifteen bathing waters that had a poor classification in 2015 have improved to a sufficient or better classification in 2022.  

SEPA will continue to work with partners to raise or maintain the state of bathing waters throughout Scotland for the benefits of the communities and visitors who use them. 

Dhoon Bay, on the Solway coast, is the only bathing water classified as poor for 2022. SEPA has been working closely with the local community, local authority and Scottish Water to put in place actions to reduce the impact of private sewage treatment systems in the catchment area.

Plans for permanent improvements for the private systems serving domestic homes is ongoing, with funds made available by the Scottish Government and assistance from Scottish Water.

South of Scotland Enterprise is also involved in plans to upgrade treatment provision at a caravan park in an area that is important for tourism. These actions are aimed at improving water quality in what will be a critical year for this location. 

Help improve our beaches and coastlines   

Communities and visitors to Scotland’s beaches can help protect our water environment, even when they’re not visiting. 

It’s important that people understand the impact what they flush away has on the environment, including their local bathing water. Every year Scottish Water teams deal with around 36,000 blockages, costing customers about £7 million annually, and around 80% of those are caused by people flushing the wrong items down the toilet, or pouring fats, oil and grease down the sink. These blockages in the sewer system can result in spills of pollution into the environment.  

Whether you are at home, at work or on holiday, Scottish Water provides advice on how to protect the network, and Scotland’s water environment, at scottishwater.co.uk/naturecalls   

Simon Parsons, Scottish Water’s Strategic Customer Services Planning Director, said: “Scottish Water is committed to continuing to support the protection and improvement of Scotland’s rivers, coastal waters and beaches.  

“We recently published our urban waters route map, announcing plans to invest up to half a billion pounds more in Scotland’s waste water network to deliver further improvements and ensure that Scotland’s rivers, beaches and urban waters are free from sewage-related debris. 

“All our customers can play a huge part in preventing debris in rivers and on beaches. Our new national campaign ‘Nature Calls’ urges customers not to flush wet wipes (and other items) down the toilet and we are calling for a complete ban on the sale of wet wipes containing plastic.” 

Protecting our bathing waters while at the beach is also vital. Waste from animals or litter is not just unsightly, it can have a negative impact on the environment – so it’s important to make sure your visit doesn’t contribute to pollution. 

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: ‘We are delighted with the results of My Beach Your Beach; working together, partners, communities and individuals have really raised awareness of bathing water quality, encouraging everyone to play their part in helping to protect the sand and sea.

“My Beach Your Beach encourages more people to engage in simple actions leading to better bathing water quality. Waste from animals or litter is not just unsightly, it can have a negative impact on the environment. So, visitors are encouraged to take litter home, clean up after their dogs and avoid feeding the gulls, ensuring a good beach experience for everyone who visits.”  

Find out more at keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mybeachyourbeach 

Stay safe at the beach 

For advice on how to keep safe in and around water visit the RLNI and Water Safety Scotland webpages. 

During the season, SEPA posts results online from its sampling of all 87 designated bathing waters. At 29 locations there are bathing water signs with updated water quality predictions by 10am, so you can check before you travel.  

At most locations, bathing is not advised during, or one to two days after, heavy rainfall due to the risk to bathers’ health from short term water pollution. Site-specific information on risks can be found on the individual bathing water profiles on our website. 

Wardie Bay is NOT designated as bathing water this summer

SEPA will carry out water quality sampling during 2022 season

  • Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, has not designated Wardie Bay as a Scottish bathing water for the 2022 season
  • Due to high number of users SEPA will take samples during the season to monitor water quality  
  • Locals and visitors are encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving local water quality

Wardie Bay in Edinburgh has not been designated as one of Scotland’s designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP.

However, Scotland’s environmental regulator will take water samples and publish them online, reflecting the high number of users during the season, which runs from 1 June to 15 September.

Application for designation 

The application for bathing water status was submitted by Wardie Bay Beachwatch.

The submission was considered by the Bathing Water Review Panel and recommendations based on the criteria for designation were passed to the Minister for Environment and Land Reform.

Evidence provided confirmed that Wardie Bay had a large number of bathers, and there was community support for the designation. The third requirement, around beach management, has not yet been met.

Given the level of community use and the commitment from City of Edinburgh Council to continue to work towards accepting beach management responsibilities, SEPA will sample Wardie Bay from May to September 2022 and results will be publicly available on a dedicated section of SEPA’s website.

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, SEPA’s Interim Head of Water and Planning, said:  “Scotland’s natural environment is world renowned. Our waters are at their best status on record and the best in the UK, including 99% of bathing waters meeting strict environmental standards in 2021. 

“As well as the physical and mental health benefits that being outdoors can provide, bathing waters can support local economies by encouraging visitors.

“Due to the high level of community use, and the ongoing work by City of Edinburgh Council. SEPA’s specialist teams will take samples throughout the bathing water season, providing water quality information for the local community and visitors.”

Help improve our beaches and coastlines  

Communities and visitors to Scotland’s beaches can also help to protect our water environment, even when they’re not there.  

It’s important that people understand the impact what they flush away can have on the environment – and their local bathing water. Every year Scottish Water teams deal with around 36,000 blockages, costing customers about £7 million annually, and around 80% of those are caused by people flushing the wrong items down the toilet, or pouring fats, oil and grease down the sink. These blockages in the sewer system can result in spills of pollution into the environment. 

Whether you are at home, at work or on holiday, Scottish Water provides advice on how to protect the network, and Scotland’s water environment, at scottishwater.co.uk/naturecalls 

Protecting our bathing waters while at the beach is also vital. Waste from animals or litter is not just unsightly, it can have a negative impact on the environment. So, visitors are encouraged to take litter home, clean up after their dogs and avoid feeding the gulls, ensuring a good beach experience for everyone who visits.

Find out more at keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mybeachyourbeach 

99% of Scotland’s bathing waters have passed environmental water quality standards

99% of Scotland’s designated bathing waters met the required environmental water quality standards for the 2021 bathing water season.

  • 38% of bathing waters achieved ‘excellent’ status – the highest since tighter standards first came into force in 2015.
  • Significant improvement achieved at Ayr (South Beach) which achieved Good status.
  • Improvement measures and plans for Rockcliffe aim to sustain this year’s improved water quality.
  • Farmers and land managers have continued to show good compliance with environmental protection measures.
  • Management plans in place at Dhoon Bay designed to improve water quality in 2022 and beyond.

Scotland’s bathing water quality is the best it has been since 2015 when tighter standards first came into force, with almost all sites now classified as sufficient or better for next season. On top of that 32 out of 85 – (38%) are rated as ‘excellent’, the highest number since the annual classifications were reported from 2015.

Of particular note this year is the step change improvement at Ayr (South Beach) following collaborative work involving SEPA and Scottish Water, supported by Scottish Government, South Ayrshire Council, farmers and rural land managers, the National Farmers Union and Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Having been classified as ‘Poor’ for four years in a row, 2021 was a key season for Ayr (South Beach), as another poor classification would have resulted in the loss of its designated bathing water status.

Results from this season show that the planned pollution control measures and improvement projects, combined with a largely dry summer which also helped reduce pollution run-off, resulted in a significant improvement in water quality.

With further improvements continuing into future years and continued collaboration and partnership working moving forward on improvement actions, the bathing water will continue to be a valued bathing water location.

Rockcliffe on the Solway coast, which had been classified as Poor since 2017, has also seen a ‘step change’ after SEPA authorised temporary treatment operated by Scottish Water at nearby Kippford for the 2021 season.

The success this year is ahead of a permanent solution for sewage treatment which will sustain this improved status for the longer term.

Scotland’s results

 2021/222020/212019/202018/192017/182016/172015/16
Excellent32 (38%)Results carried over from 2019/2029 (34%)28 (32%)25 (29%)26 (31%)17 (20%)
Good35 (41%)31 (36%)35 (41%)34 (40%)36 (43%)38 (45%)
Sufficient17 (20%)20 (24%)13 (15%)16 (19%)11 (13%)12 (14%)
Poor1 (1%)5 (6%)10 (12%)11 (13%)11 (13%)17 (20%)
Total Bathing Waters858586868484

Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “Improving Scotland’s water environment is a key priority for SEPA, and that includes the bathing waters so many of us enjoy.

“Across Scotland, we work to protect watercourses through licensing, inspection and regulation of discharges, and pollution incident response. In addition, we provide advice and guidance to the public, industry, developers, and local authorities.

“The successes at Ayr (South Beach) and Rockcliffe demonstrate the bold and timely action that can come from partnership working. We’ll continue to work with our partners to raise or maintain the state of bathing waters throughout Scotland, with particular attention on Dhoon Bay in 2022.”

Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan said: “Scotland’s bathing waters are so important to our environment and to people’s health and well-being and it is great to see hard work and investment delivering results.

“This is great news for the people of Ayr and the thousands of people who visit its shores every year. Ayr beach is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor areas, with a long tradition of welcoming people from far and wide to enjoy its coastline.

“By investing in improving Ayr’s bathing waters along with others across Scotland, we have made sure many more people can continue to enjoy them and will potentially bring a boost to the local tourism economy.”

At Dhoon Bay, SEPA is working closely with the local community and the local authority to put in place improved private sewage treatment systems serving domestic homes in time for the 2022 Bathing Season, with funds made available by the Scottish Government.

South of Scotland Enterprise is also involved in plans to upgrade treatment at a caravan park in an area that is important for tourism. These actions are aimed at improving water quality in what will be a critical year for this location.  

While season results are normally based on a four-year rolling average, when there is a significant improvement that is sustainable in the future, it is appropriate to use a “step-change” to classify using one season’s samples. 

The improvements at Ayr (South Beach) and Rockcliffe are significant enough that, alongside continued beach management, on-going use of SEPA’s daily prediction signage and discounting systems and upgraded electronic signs for 2022, there is good confidence that similar classifications should be maintained in future years.

The Scottish Government funded “My Beach Your Beach” campaign which is delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful has also successfully helped people care for our beaches and bathing waters by raising public awareness to reduce beach pollution from dogs, gulls, and litter.

The campaign has focused its activities at Ayr, Troon, Irvine, Saltcoats/Ardrossan, Kinghorn, Portobello and Fisherrow beaches.

Significant Scottish Water investment

  • Ayr (South Beach)

Scottish Water’s investment of around £10 million, including increased storm storage capacity at two wastewater treatment works, has driven clear improvement in water quality at Ayr (South Beach), which now achieves a “Good” classification. Temporary chemical disinfection at Minishant septic tank also proved to be successful and this improvement will be made permanent with Scottish Water installing a new wastewater treatment works for this location.

Additional work in the coming years will include first-time provision for properties which currently discharge to the River Doon, with around £3 million of targeted Scottish Government funding as part of a programme of improvements.   

  • Rockcliffe

A significant improvement in water quality was seen at Rockcliffe and the Bathing Water would achieve an “Excellent” classification if the classification was calculated on single year data.

During 2020/21, Scottish Water installed chemical dosing as a temporary measure at the septic tank at Kippford at a cost of around £220,000. Dosing is proposed to continue until a new wastewater treatment works is constructed, along with a new discharge point, by 2024.

Simon Parsons, Strategic Customer Services Planning Director at Scottish Water, said: “We’re delighted that our £10 million investment in wastewater infrastructure at Belleisle, Mauchline and Drongan has positively contributed towards protecting the bathing water status of Ayr (South).

“A collaborative approach with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, South Ayrshire Council and other key parties was instrumental to expediting this major investment and has ensured its successful delivery.

“In addition to the improved treatment capability that this investment brings, the continued operational diligence of our assets in the area is helping to ensure the best possible water quality is achieved. This is great news for local people, the local tourist industry and the environment.”

Farmers and land managers working together to improve Scotland’s rivers

SEPA has been working alongside NFUS over a number of years to help farmers and rural land managers reduce diffuse pollution affecting both Ayr (South Beach) and Rockcliffe catchments.

Inspections have shown that of 410 across the two areas only a small number in Ayrshire are still completing remedial measures. 

All others are fully compliant, with many adopting new practices and spending significant sums of money to improve slurry storage, fence off water courses and install alternative water supplies for livestock.

Around £50 million has been spent on improvements, through self-funding and grants from Scottish Government, and in many cases farmers have gone even further than is legally required to help protect Scotland’s water environment from farming activities.

Swimming safely in Scotland

Our bathing waters start 2021 season with 94% achieving strict environmental standards

  • 94% of Scotland’s designated bathing waters have been rated sufficient or better by SEPA for the 2021 season.
  • More bathing waters (34%) have been rated as ‘excellent’ since tighter standards first came into force in 2015.
  • Half as many bathing waters rated as ‘poor’ than in 2019.
  • Partnership projects are currently underway to maintain progress and further improve bathing waters including the 5 rated as ‘poor.’

Scotland’s bathing water season officially began yesterday (1 June) in what is shaping up to be a busy year for the country’s beautiful beaches.

With 2021 the year of the staycation more people will be visiting our shorelines, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is encouraging everyone to know where they can find information on their favourite bathing location – and what they can do to help protect our water environment while they are there.

This season Scotland has more bathing waters rated as excellent, good or sufficient than at any point since tighter standards first came into force in 2015 – with 94% achieving one of the three grades. There are also half as many bathing waters rated poor as there were in 2019 – down to five from the 10 two years ago.

Scotland currently has 85 designated bathing waters, where SEPA monitors water quality during the season, which runs until 15 September. Sampling results are published online, and SEPA also has daily water quality predictions for 28 beaches which are available on its website by 10am daily. This enables visitors to decide whether their activities will include bathing, or if they will just enjoy on-shore activities.

One of the biggest impacts on the water quality at bathing waters is the weather, especially heavy rain. Because of this swimming is not advised at any bathing water during, or one to two days after, heavy rainfall as there is always a risk that water pollution may occur. This can be as a result of urban and agricultural run-off and sewerage sources. 

Due to SEPA’s ongoing recovery from a complex and sophisticated cyber-attack in December 2020, the agency’s network of 29 electronic beach signs will not be fully operational for the start of season. Work is ongoing to re-introduce these over the next few weeks, and the same information is currently available on SEPA’s website.

Samples taken across the season are also used to calculate the general water quality classification for display at the start of the following season. Classifications are excellent, good, sufficient and poor, and are based on four years of monitoring data.

Due to a shortened bathing water season in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not possible to collect the required number of samples to provide a classification. As a result each bathing water will retain the classification set at the end of 2019 – 29 Excellent; 31 good; 20 sufficient; 5 poor.

Terry A’Hearn, SEPA Chief Executive, said: “Protecting and improving our bathing waters is crucial for our environment, local economies and communities.

“We hope Scotland’s weather will enable both residents and visitors to enjoy our seaside resorts and beaches over the summer months, and with 94% of our beaches already meeting strict environmental standards, it’s great to see that there has been a continued general improvement in Scotland’s classifications over the last few years.

“While this is good progress, we understand that some local communities will be disappointed, as we are, that there are five bathing waters which have been rated as poor. Although it is important to remember that a ‘poor’ classification does not mean that water quality is poor every day – and these are still fantastic beaches to visit – SEPA is committed to the challenge of building on the progress Scotland has made and bringing all of our bathing waters up to ‘sufficient’ or better. We encourage you to look at our daily bathing water predictions.

“We continue to work with Scottish Government and our key partner organisations to help all of Scotland’s bathing waters improve in future years. Work is progressing through further investment and infrastructure improvements, along with managing pressures from rural and diffuse pollution and by engaging with communities.”

Improving water quality

All across Scotland, SEPA seeks to protect watercourses through licensing, inspection and regulation of discharges, advice and guidance to the public, industry, developers and local authorities, and pollution incident response.

SEPA officers have undertaken a series of pre-season inspections at key assets and locations across the country and will continue to monitor key locations throughout the season.

Unfortunately wet weather can have a negative impact on bathing waters. This is due to combined sewer overflows (CSOs) – which are designed to discharge diluted but minimally treated sewage to watercourses and coastal waters to prevent flooding – and run off from rural and urban environments (known as diffuse pollution). As a result SEPA advises against bathing for up to two days after heavy rain due to the risk of poor water quality.

SEPA continues to work closely with Scottish Government and Scottish Water to ensure that planned capital investment programmes aimed at upgrading sewerage infrastructure throughout the country are prioritised to maximise environmental benefits.

In addition, partnership with NFUS and Farming and Water Scotland allows us to work closely with farmers and land managers to provide advice and guidance so they can continue to minimise the impact land run-off can have on the rivers that flow into our bathing waters.

Help improve our beaches and coastlines

Visitors to Scotland’s beaches can also help to protect our water environment. SEPA supports Keep Scotland Beautiful’s (KSB) My Beach, Your Beach campaign.

Waste from animals or litter isn’t just unsightly but can have a negative impact on the water quality so we encourage the public to follow KSB’s advice to take litter home, to clean up after their dogs and to avoid feeding the gulls, ensuring a good beach experience for everyone who visits.

Find out more at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mybeachyourbeach

It’s also important that people understand the impacts what they flush away can have on the environment. Blockages can be caused by inappropriate items being flushed down toilets and poured down sinks – including fats, oils, greases and wipes. Whether you’re at home or on holiday, Scottish Water provides advice on how to protect the internal sewer network and Scotland’s water environment at www.scottishwater.co.uk/cycle.

More work underway

While there has been a positive upwards trend in Scotland’s bathing water quality due to focussed improvement plans and strong partnership working, there are a small number of beaches where poor water quality has been an issue for several years.

We have seen before how improvement projects have had a positive impact at beaches with historically poor classifications being rated as excellent, good or sufficient for the first time since 2015:

  • 2019: Heads of Ayr (2021 excellent), Sandyhills (2021 good), Kinghorn (Harbour) (2021 sufficient) and Cruden Bay (2021 good)
  • 2018: Portobello (West) (2021 sufficient)
  • 2017: Nairn (East) (2021 sufficient) Nairn (Central) (2021 good)

Fisherrow Sands

As in 2020, Fisherrow Sands is not a designated bathing water this season. Despite making progress in the area to improve bathing water quality, Fisherrow Sands ended the 2019 bathing water season with a fifth ‘poor’ water quality classification.

Whilst this does not mean the beach is closed, it does mean general advice against bathing still applies at this location. Beach users may continue to make their own decisions as to whether they wish to swim.

SEPA will continue to engage with local community representatives about our monitoring work and all other actions focussing on improving the water quality in this location so that the advice against bathing may be withdrawn in future.

Ayr (South Beach)

Ayr (South Beach) currently has four poor classifications. If a poor classification is given after the 2021 season it would not be listed as a designated Bathing Water in 2022 and would have general advice against bathing displayed at the beach.

Work is currently ongoing to improve water quality and all partners are making every effort to ensure that Ayr (South Beach) meets the standard in 2021.

Since 2019, SEPA has had a targeted priority improvement plan in place at Ayr (South Beach), working with partners and regulated operators to focus efforts to protect and improve the bathing water status. Our combined resources and actions with key partners are designed to tackle all the issues which contribute to poor bathing water quality and ensure that the identified improvements are delivered and de-designation is not required.

Poorer water quality is mainly driven by rainfall and so water quality is often good – particularly during dry sunny periods. Although Ayr (South Beach) was classified ‘Poor’ overall in 2019, over 60% of the sample days showed acceptable levels. 

2020/2021 results in full

 2020/2021
Highland and Islands – 8 excellent, 6 good, 2 sufficient, 0 poor
Achmelvich        Excellent
Dores   Good
Dornoch                Excellent
DunnetExcellent
Ettrick Bay          Good
Findhorn               Excellent
Gairloch Beach Excellent
Ganavan               Excellent
Loch Morlich     Excellent
Lossiemouth (East)Sufficient
Machrihanish    Good
Nairn (Central) Good
Nairn (East)       Sufficient
Rosemarkie       Good
Sand Beach        Excellent
Thurso Good
Lothian, mid Scotland and Fife – 6 excellent, 5 good, 5 sufficient, 0 poor
Aberdour (Silversands) Good
Aberdour Harbour (Black Sands)Sufficient
Anstruther (Billow   Ness)                Excellent
Burntisland        Good
Crail (Roome   Bay)           Excellent
Elie (Harbour) and EarlsferryExcellent
Elie (Ruby Bay)Excellent
Kinghorn (Harbour Beach)Sufficient
Kinghorn (Pettycur)       Good
Kingsbarns         Excellent
Kirkcaldy (Seafield)Good
Leven   Sufficient
Portobello (Central)       Sufficient
Portobello   (West)           Sufficient
St Andrews (East Sands)Good
St Andrews (West Sands)Excellent
North East Scotland – 7 excellent, 9 good, 1 sufficient, 0 poor
Aberdeen          Good
Arbroath (West Links)   Good
Balmedie              Excellent
Broughty Ferry Excellent
Carnoustie         Good
Collieston             Good
Cruden Bay        Good
Cullen Bay            Good
Fraserburgh (Philorth)  Excellent
Fraserburgh (Tiger Hill)  Good
Inverboyndie    Sufficient
Lunan Bay          Excellent
Monifieth             Good
Montrose             Excellent
Peterhead   (Lido)               Excellent
Rosehearty        Excellent
Stonehaven      Good
Solway – 0 excellent, 3 good, 1 sufficient, 3 poor
Brighouse BayPoor
CarrickSufficient
Dhoon BayPoor
MossyardGood
RockcliffePoor
SandyhillsGood
SouthernessGood
South East Scotland – 7 excellent, 4 good, 4 sufficient, 0 poor
Broad Sands      Good
Coldingham       Excellent
Dunbar (Belhaven)         Good
Dunbar (East)   Excellent
Eyemouth          Sufficient
GullaneExcellent
Longniddry        Good
North Berwick (Milsey Bay)         Sufficient
North Berwick (West)   Sufficient
Pease Bay           Excellent
SeacliffExcellent
Seton Sands      Sufficient
Thorntonloch    Excellent
Whitesands       Excellent
Yellow Craig       Good
West Scotland – 1 excellent, 3 good, 9 sufficient, 1 poor
Ayr (South Beach)           Poor
CulzeanSufficient
GirvanSufficient
Heads of AyrExcellent
Irvine   Sufficient
Largs (Pencil Beach)       Sufficient
Lunderston BayGood
Luss Bay                Sufficient
MaidensSufficient
Millport Bay      Good
PrestwickGood
Saltcoats/Ardrossan      Sufficient
Seamill Sufficient
Troon (South Beach)Sufficient

More of Scotland’s bathing waters rated ‘excellent’ but Porty’s just ‘sufficient’

  • More bathing waters (32%) have been rated as ‘excellent’ than since the tighter standards first came into force in 2015.
  • Fewer bathing waters have also been rated as ‘poor’ – and partnership projects are currently underway to maintain progress and further improve bathing waters including the 10 rated as ‘poor.’
  • Overall 88% of Scotland’s designated bathing waters have met the strict environmental water quality standards for 2019.  
  • Water quality information is available by 10.00 am every day during the season for 31 bathing water locations at sepa.org.uk/bathingwaters, via Beachline and live electronic beach signage.

Continue reading More of Scotland’s bathing waters rated ‘excellent’ but Porty’s just ‘sufficient’