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Improving bathing waters
15/11/2007
A consultation has been launched on proposals to bring about further improvements to bathing waters.
2006 was a record year for Scotland's 61 designated waters, but further improvements will be made in line with new European standards.
Minister for Environment Michael Russell said:
"With the unfortunate exception of this summer, when the whole country was faced with unprecedented poor weather, the quality of Scotland's bathing waters has been gradually improving.
"2006 saw all of Scotland's bathing waters meeting European standards for the first time and today's consultation will take health protection and cleanliness to the next level.
"The standards in terms of water quality will be raised as in other European countries. There will be new responsibilities to promote public participation in decision-making and the provision of information to allow beach goers to make informed choices on whether to bathe or not.
"Today's consultation is all about how best we meet these challenges and I would encourage all interested to get involved."
The draft Bathing Water (Scotland) Regulations 2008 transpose the revised Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) into Scots law. The Directive came into force on 24 March 2006 and its requirements must be transferred into domestic legislation by 24 March 2008.