The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Water and Soils Priorities

Relevant Packages

Shetland's freshwaters make vital contributions to its landscape, and biodiversity as well as delivering important natural services for primary industries and as drinking water. Shetland has many small lochs and water courses, many of which do not meet the size criteria for inclusion in Water Framework Directive classification. There are no Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, Bathing Waters or formal Drinking Water Protection Zones. However there are several Shellfish Waters, a number of lochs used for drinking water abstraction for the public supply, and some small waters courses that are threatened by diffuse pollution. The fishery for the native brown and sea trout has been of national interest and a significant contributor to the local economy.

Orkney has many small lochs and water courses, many of which do not meet the size criteria for inclusion in Water Framework Directive classification (the directive applies to all rivers/burns which drain a catchment area greater than 10 km², all lochs that are bigger than 0.5 km²). There are no Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, Bathing Waters or formal Drinking Water Protection Zones. However there are several Shellfish Waters, a number of lochs used for drinking water abstraction for the public supply, and many small waters courses that are threatened by diffuse pollution. The fishery for the native brown trout is of international interest and is a significant contributor to the local economy.

NIS16

Reduced diffuse and point source pollution from rural land uses and housing. Particularly proposals that:

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for Shetland:

• reduce diffuse pollution to all freshwaters but especially where this protects sites of local natural heritage interest and where nationally scarce species can be found which are not in formally designated SSSI's, SPA's, etc.
• protect Shellfish growing waters from bacterial contamination by improving the effectiveness of septic tank provision.

for Orkney:

• reduce diffuse pollution to all freshwaters but especially where this protects sites of local natural heritage interest and where nationally scarce species can be found which are not in formally designated SSSI's, SPA's, etc.
• protect Shellfish growing waters from bacterial contamination by improving the effectiveness of septic tank provision.

NIS17

Improved water quality of surface water and ground water bodies supported by a 'Soils and Water Plan', with priority given to actions in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, Bathing Water Catchments, shellfish growing areas and Drinking Water Protected Areas. Particularly proposals that:

27-30

for Shetland:

• improve water quality of surface water and ground water bodies supported by a 'Soils and Water Plan', with priority given to actions in areas bordering drinking water supply catchments, Shellfish Waters and water bodies where native fish species live or spawn through, e.g. improved slurry, silage and manure management, improved or removed licensed discharges to freshwaters.

for Orkney:

• improve water quality of surface water and ground water bodies supported by a 'Soils and Water Plan', with priority given to actions in areas bordering drinking water supply catchments, Shellfish Waters and water bodies where native fish species live or spawn through, e.g. improved slurry, silage and manure management, improved or removed licensed discharges to freshwaters.

NIS18

By 2015, achieve good ecological status of water bodies currently classified as being at a lesser status. This can be addressed through priorities identified in River Basin Management Plans. Particularly proposals that:

27-30

for Shetland:

• promote actions and activities leading to good ecological status for all locally and nationally significant water bodies including freshwater SSSIs, freshwaters identified in the Shetland Freshwater Habitat Action Plan. Priority will be given to water bodies which are currently classified as being at less than good ecological status, delivering WFD outcomes by 2015 and preventing deterioration of water bodies which are currently classified as being at good or high ecological status.

for Orkney:

• deliver WFD outcomes by 2015 and actions and activities which will maintain good status of water bodies preventing deterioration. There are many smaller water bodies below WFD thresholds, priority in an Orkney context should be given to water bodies which are currently classified as being at less than good ecological status.

NIS19

Sustainable flood management and reduced flood risk (including adaptation to climate change), through appropriate land management, particularly actions identified in River Basin Management Plans. Particularly proposals that:

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for Shetland:

• reduce flood risk particularly adjacent to settlements through, e.g. constructed farm wetlands or run-off control.

for Orkney:

• reduce flood risk particularly adjacent to settlements through, e.g. constructed farm wetlands or run-off control.

NIS20

Improved protection in areas identified as most at risk from erosion, flooding, acidification and nitrate pollution, through appropriate management of existing habitats (e.g. low impact silvicultural systems in woodland) or the creation of appropriate habitats (e.g. floodplains and along river edges), or organic conversion or maintenance. Particularly proposals that:

for Shetland:

• reduce risk of erosion and flooding in demonstrably high risk areas.

for Orkney:

• improve protection for areas identified as at risk, in the Orkney River Basin Management Plan. In the context of Orkney priorities nutrients in general rather than only nitrates should be considered priority.

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