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.