High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Friday, May 16, 2008
Coastal Bathing Water Quality
High quality bathing waters are important for a wide variety of interests and support Scotland's tourism industry. Monitoring the quality of these waters provides an indication of the health risks of bathing from both direct and diffuse discharges of effluents containing faecal contaminants.
EC Bathing Water Directive (76/160/ EEC)1 sets out two quality standards - the 'mandatory' standard, and the stricter 'guideline' standard. Member states should comply with the mandatory standard and aim to comply with the guideline standard. In 2007, 88% of identified coastal bathing waters achieved the mandatory standard, and 49% also complied with the guideline standard. In addition to these coastal bathing waters, the two inland bathing waters both met the mandatory standard.
It is important to note that the weather is thought to affect compliance, with wet weather often contributing to poorer results and, conversely, drier, hotter weather associated with better results. The fall in compliance rates between 2003 and 2004, and 2006 and 2007 may have been a result of the extremely wet weather.
Source: Scottish Environment Protection Agency
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