Water Environment - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
SHELLFISH WATER
How many designated shellfish waters currently exist in Scotland?
Where are the designated shellfish waters located?
What are the grid references for the designated shellfish waters?
GROUNDWATER
What is groundwater?
How does it become polluted?
What are the charges for authorising the disposal of waste sheep dip?
Why is the annual charge still levied when it has been waived in England & Wales?
BATHING WATER
How many designated bathing waters are there in Scotland?
Where are the designated bathing waters?
How is the quality of our beaches and bathing waters regulated?
Where do I find relevant information on bathing water quality?
WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
What is the Water Environment and Water Services Act and what does it do?
NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES
What areas have been designated as nitrate vulnerable zones?
What are the main action programme measures?
What guidance will be available for farmers to assist them in complying with the NVZ?
URBAN WASTE WATER TREATMENT DIRECTIVE
How many sensitive areas have been designated under the UWWTD?
Where are the sensitive areas?
Why were the areas designated?
SHELLFISH WATER
How many designated shellfish waters currently exist in Scotland?
There are currently 104 designated shellfish waters in Scotland. Twenty-two were designated in 1998, 11 in 2000, and 75 in 2002. Four of the sites at Loch Roag, designated in 1998, were superseded by one large site in 2002.
Top
Where are the designated shellfish waters located?
Designations made 1 April 1998 | | |
Dornoch Firth
Arbroath
St Andrew's to Fife Ness
Fife Ness to Elie
North Berwick to Dunbar
Loch Ryan
Ayrshire coast
Kyles of Bute | Loch Fyne Coastal Strip
Lochs Long and Goil
Broadford Bay and Kyle area
Loch Etive
Seil:Ardencaple
Loch Spelve
Jura (Small Isles)
Jura (Lowlandsman's Bay) | Cromarty Bay
Loch Roag (Floday)*
Loch Roag (Vuia Mor)*
Loch Drovinish*
East Loch Roag (Loch Barraglom)*
East Loch Roag (Loch Carloway) |
* this designation has been superseded by a further designation made in 2002 (Loch Roag)
Designations made 17 February 2000 | | |
Bay of Firth, Orkney Mainland
Vaila Sound, Shetland
Olna Firth, Shetland
Loch Eriboll, North West | Loch Laxford, North West
Loch Kishorn, North West
Loch Snizort, Skye
Isle of Ulva Mull | Seil Sound
Loch Creran
Loch Crinan |
Designations made March 2002 | | |
Ardtoe and Loch Ceann Traigh
Bay of Ireland
Black Islands, Kyle
Busta Voe and Linga Voe
Camas Nathais
Cat Firth
Colla Firth
Colonsay
Cuil Bay
Deer Sound
Dunstaffnage
Eddrachillis Bay
Enard Bay
Fairlie
Gometra
Gruting Voe
Inganess Bay
Inner Loch Torridon
Inverneill, Loch Fyne
Isle Ornsay
Keills, Knapdale
Kerrera
Kyle of Tongue
Kylerhea
Lealt, Jura | Linne Mhuirich
Lismore
Little Loch Broom
Loch Ainort
Loch Caroy
Loch a'Chumhainn
Loch Craignish
Loch Dunvegan
Loch Dunvegan
Loch Eishort
Loch Ewe
Loch Eynort
Loch Feochan
Loch Glendhu
Loch Grimshader
Loch Gruinart
Loch Harport
Loch Hourn
Loch Inchard
Loch Leurbost
Loch Leurbost
Loch Leven
Loch Melfort
Loch Moidart, North Channel
Loch Moidart, South Channel | Loch Nevis
Loch Roag*
Loch Scridain
Loch Sligachan
Loch Stornoway
Loch Striven
Loch Sunart
Lynn of Lorn
Mull of Galloway
Ronas Voe
Sandside Bay
Shuna
Sound of Kerrera
Sound of Shuna
St Catherine's Bay
Tobermory
Ulva
Ura Firth
Voe of Clousta
Wadbister Voe
West Loch
Tarbert
West Loch Tarbert
West Loch Tarbert
Whale Firth
Yell, Basta Voe |
* this supersedes the Loch Roag designations made in 1998
Top
GROUNDWATER
What is groundwater?
Groundwater is an important natural resource for Scotland, providing drinking water (both public - from Scottish Water - and private supplies, mostly in rural areas), industrial uses (such as mineral water bottling), and as a source of water for the wider aquatic environment when it filters into lochs, rivers and wetlands.
Groundwater comes from rainwater that has infiltrated and collected in permeable rocks below the surface. These bodies of groundwater are known as aquifers. During its slow percolation through the ground, this water is filtered, thus generally ensuring good quality in its natural state. Rock where the pores or cracks are completely filled with water is known as the saturated zone - the level where this occurs is called the water table. The rock above the table is known as the unsaturated zone.
In Scotland there is a greater volume of groundwater than in our lochs or rivers. However, as most of our needs for water are met from lochs and rivers, we make very little use of groundwater in comparison with other European countries.
Top
How does it become polluted?
Groundwater is very vulnerable to pollution from activities on the ground, such as waste disposal, and improper storage of chemicals and fuels. It may also be polluted from activities underground such as from mineral extraction or coal mining activities. Pollution of groundwater usually occurs slowly, and because it is not easily monitored, it can be many years before the true extent of a pollution problem is known. Once groundwater is polluted it is very difficult and costly to restore to its natural state - even technically unfeasible in certain cases - and it can be many years before it is suitable for use again.
Polluted groundwater can enter surface waters through springs, which will in turn have a detrimental impact on their quality.
It is therefore very important that proper precautions are taken and that good industry practice is followed at all times in order to reduce the risk of pollution from occurring. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has legal power to regulate activities that pose a threat to groundwater, and to prosecute offenders where necessary.
Top
What are the charges for authorising the disposal of waste sheep dip?
Farmers and crofters wishing to dispose of spent sheep dip to land require prior authorisation from SEPA and further details can be found on their website at www.sepa.org.uk.
Top
Why is the annual charge still levied when it has been waived in England and Wales?
The Executive carefully considered the case for waiving the annual fee for farmers, as has occurred on a temporary basis south of the border. However, we concluded that to do so would be a serious breach of the polluter pays principle, whereby the costs of licensing such operations must be met by those directly involved in the activities. Additionally, a waiver for sheep farmers would set a dangerous precedent for other industries. This issue was also fully debated in the Scottish Parliament in November 2000, where the Executive reaffirmed its support for the retention of the charges. Annual maintenance fees will be reintroduced by the Environment Agency from April 2004.
Top
BATHING WATER
How many bathing waters are there?
61
Top
Where are the designated bathing waters?
Aberdeen | Aberdour (Silver Sands) | Arbroath (West Links) | Ayr ( South Beach ) | Balmedie | Brighouse Bay | Broughty Ferry | Burntisland | Carnoustie | Carrick | Coldingham | Crail ( Roome Bay ) | Cruden Bay | Cullen Bay | Dores ( Loch Ness )** | Dornoch | Dunbar (Belhaven) | Dunbar (East) | Dunnet | Elie (Ruby Bay) Elie (Harbour) Earlsferry | Ettrick Bay |
| Eyemouth | Fraserburgh (Tiger Hill) | Fraserburgh (Philorth) | Ganavan | Girvan | Gullane | Inverboyndie | Irvine | Kinghorn (Pettycur) | Kingsbarns | Largs ( Pencil Beach ) | Longniddry | Luss Bay ( Loch Lomond ) | Machrihanish Bay | Millport | Montrose | | Nairn ( Central Beach ) | Nairn ( East Beach ) | North Berwick ( Milsey Bay ) | North Berwick ( West ) | Pease Bay |
| Peterhead ( Lido ) | Portobello (Central) | Portobello (West) | Prestwick | Rockcliffe | Rosehearty | Saltcoats Ardrossan | Sandyhills | Seton Sands | Southerness | St. Abbs | St. Andrews (East Sands) | St. Andrews (West Sands) | Stonehaven | Thortonloch | Troon ( South Beach ) | Whitesands | Yellowcraig | | |
|
Top
How is the quality of our beaches and bathing waters regulated?
The quality of beaches i.e. cleanliness etc (the sand or shingle shoreline) is the responsibility of Local Authorities or the beach owner, who in turn work in partnership with other interested parties such asClean Coast Scotland.
Bathing waters are currently regulated in the Bathing Waters (Classification) ( Scotland ) Regulations 1991. We propose to implement the revised Directive into Scottish law through new regulations which will be consulted upon in 2007.
Top
Where do I find relevant information on bathing water quality?
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency carry out monitoring and reporting of results on bathing water quality and publish details annually.
Further information can be found on the bathing water section of SEPA's website at www.sepa.org.uk
Top
WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
What is the Water Environment and Water Services Act and what does it do?
The Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 will enable Scottish Ministers to implement the EC Water Framework Directive in Scotland.
The Bill was introduced into the Scottish Parliament on June 18 2002 and received Royal Assent on March 5 2003.
For the first time the Act establishes a planning system for the water environment with SEPA as the lead authority working alongside the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The Act ensures that all human activities that can have a harmful effect on the water environment can be controlled by establishing a framework for co-ordinated controls on water abstraction and impoundment, engineering works near watercourses, and all forms of pollution to water.
Top
NITRATE VULNERABLE ZONES
What areas have been designated as nitrate vulnerable zones?
4 NVZs have been designated - the Moray, Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan NVZ; the Strathmore and Fife NVZ; the Lothian and Borders NVZ; and the lower Nithsdale NVZ.
Top
What are the main action programme measures?
Introduction of closed periods during which nitrogen and inorganic fertiliser cannot be applied. This may impact on slurry storage requirements.
Closed Periods when NO applications should be made
| GRASSLAND | OTHER LAND |
Inorganic nitrogen fertiliser | Moray, Aberdeenshire, Banff & Buchan NVZ | 15 Sept - 20 Feb | 1 Sept - 20 Feb |
| All other NVZs | 15 Sept - 15 Feb | 1 Sept - 15 Feb |
| | GRASSLAND OR AUTUMN SOWN CROP | OTHER LAND |
Slurry/ poultry manure on sandy/ shallow soil | All NVZs | 1 Oct - 1 Nov | 1 Aug - 1 Nov |
Restrictions on application of nitrogen and inorganic fertiliser in line with good farming practice.
| GRASSLAND | OTHER LAND |
Farm limit for Organic manures | 250 kg N/ha including grazing deposition | 170 kg N/ha |
Field limit for Organic manures (excluding non-spreading areas) | 250 kg N/ha excluding grazing deposition |
In addition inorganic nitrogen fertiliser and organic manure should NOT be applied:
when the soil is waterlogged, flooded, frozen hard or snow covered
to steeply sloping fields
to uncropped areas, hedges and watercourses
unevenly and inaccurately
in addition organic manures should not be applied within 10 metres of watercourses.
The introduction of detailed record-keeping requirements
Farm records must be kept and include details of cropping, livestock numbers, the use of inorganic nitrogen fertilisers and organic manures. A Fertiliser and Manure Plan must be prepared and implemented each year and is required to:
establish the quantities of livestock manures produced on the farm
demonstrate sufficient storage capacity and land available for spreading
contain an assessment of the nitrogen quantity available to grass and crops following application of organic manures
contain an assessment of crop and grass requirement for nitrogen fertiliser in each field taking account of nitrogen supply from soil organic matter, crop residues and organic manures.
Top
What guidance will be available for farmers to assist them in complying with the NVZ?
SEERAD's Guidelines for Farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones provide full details of the action programme measures and are designed to help farmers understand what they are required to do under the NVZ rules, including guidance on producing a fertiliser and manure plan.
Guidelines for Farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones CD-ROM (available from the Water Environment Division from February 2004).
The 4 Point Plan - Straight forward Guidance for Livestock Farmers to Minimise Pollution and Benefit your Business will help farmer plan their livestock manure/slurry
EMA CD-ROM (Scottish version available from 2004);
SAC led workshops;
SEERAD will provide guidance on the preparation of a Farm Waste Management Plan
PEPFAA Dos and Don't Guide and the full PEPFAA Code
Top
URBAN WASTE WATER TREATMENT DIRECTIVE
How many sensitive areas have been designated under the UWWTD?
25
Top
Where are the sensitive areas?
South Calder Water
Forfar Loch
Dean Water
Strathclyde Loch
River Almond
Ythan Estuary
Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh (Philorth)
Inverboyndie
Nairn Central
Nairn East
Portobello Central
Portobello West
St. Andrews East Sands
St. Andrews West Sands
River Don (Lower)
River Isla
Teviot Water
River Ettrick
River Tyne
River North Esk
River Clyde (Lower)
Black Cart Water (2 designations)
St. Andrews to Fife Ness
Top
Why were the areas designated?The following areas were designated as sensitive to protect them from eutrophication under the UWWTD: South Calder Water, Forfar Loch, Strathclyde Loch, River Almond, Ythan Estuary, River Don (lower) and Dean Water.
The following areas were designated as sensitive under the UWWTD to meet the requirements of the Bathing Water Directive: Fraserburgh, Fraserburgh (Philorth), Inverboyndie, Nairn Central, Nairn East, Portobello Central, Portobello West, St. Andrews East Sands, St. Andrews West Sands.
The following areas were designated as sensitive under the UWWTD to meet the requirements of the Fresh Water for Fish Water Directive: River Isla, Teviot Water, River Ettrick, River Tyne, River North Esk, South Calder Water, River Clyde (lower), and Black Cart Water.
The following areas were designated as sensiitve under the UWWTD to meet the requirements of the Shellfish Water Directive: St. Andrews to Fife Ness.
The attached map shows all the current designated sensitive area catchments for Urban Waste Water Treament Directive up to 2003.