EC Bathing Waters and Bathing Water quality management Calum McPhail Environmental Quality Unit manager Caroline Dilks Senior Scientist

Recent BWs Directive compliance - Scotland all 61 sites passed (first time since monitoring began in mid 1980’s) 2010 – 4 fails (82 sites) and 14 single sample (yellow flags) 1.4% of all samples i.e. 22 out of 1560

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels Regulations (Scotland) made March 2008 BW profiles for March 2011 Monitoring starts 2012 First Compliance report 2015

Revised 2006 Directive  Rolling 4 years’ data to produce the annual Water quality classification  4 status levels (excellent, good, sufficient, poor)  Statistical probability calculated as percentiles (%iles) (the current directive fixed good/poor limits and annual compliance by % of 20 single samples)  Monitoring calendar – within 4 days of date  80 samples for the classification (most sites)

Revised 2006 Directive  Focus is on two parameters for analysis - Intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coli instead of nineteen in the current Directive.  Other parameters to be taken into account – cyanobacteria, phytoplankton and macro-algae if there is a known potential for accumulation and risks to health,  and other nuisance pollutants (litter, tarry residues etc).

 Based on better science  Aligned to WHO recommendations referenced to real epidemiology and exposure studies  Improve public participation and information - modern technologies e.g. Internet and maps Profiles and signage  Beach management – coordinated roles for beach operators, relevant authorities  Beach Signage – Operators (SEPA and local authority)  Predict and Protect – allows for short term pollution Revised 2006 Directive

Short term pollution events and abnormal situations… “ Adequate management measures including…..  surveillance  early warning systems  and monitoring ….with a view to preventing bathers’ exposure by means of a warning, or where necessary a bathing prohibition” Need systems to disseminate required information to the Public

EU bathing water profiles  Profiles – March 2011 SEPA involvement in EU guidance, UK working, EU twinning project with Estonia and Austria

The bathing water profile Purpose  to provide relevant information to the public about bathing waters and their catchments, including:  potential sources of pollution;  the conditions under which these are likely to be an issue;  the management measures taken. Focus  the requirements listed in Schedule 1 of the Scottish Regulations.

Statutory requirements  SEPA must establish, and thereafter keep under review bathing water profiles by 24 March 2011;  Before establishing (and prior to review) SEPA must consult:  the relevant local authority;  the relevant health board;  Scottish Water;  SNH;  bodies representing agricultural interests.

Consultation Stage 1: Consultation on the general template  February – March 2010;  responses received from SNH, Scottish Water, Keep Scotland Beautiful. Stage 2: Consultation on the individual profiles  November – December 2010;  will include local authorities;  profiles available on SEPA’s website.

Profile content  Description of the bathing water;  Water quality assessment and bathing advice;  Assessment of risks to water quality;  Description of the catchment (land draining to bathing water);  Measures to improve bathing water quality;  diffuse pollution from agricultural sources;  sewage and other discharges;  diffuse urban sources;  Contact details and sources of information.

Maps Map of the Ayr (South Beach) bathing water Map of the catchment draining into Ayr (South Beach) bathing water

Reviews / updates Current classificationPoorSufficientGood Minimum review frequency1 – 2 years3 years4 years Cycles based on current classification Summary of 2010 classification (Directive 2006/7/EC)  Excellent : 21  Good : 21  Sufficient : 13  Poor : 27

Information sheet  Current classification;  General description (based on profile);  Potential for short-term pollution;  Advice against bathing;  Reporting pollution;  Additional sources of information;  Map of the designation.

Conclusion and summary  Moving towards 2015

Moving towards 2015  Half still reach Good or Excellent  Working for further improvements: - diffuse agricultural pollution - diffuse urban pollution - assets e.g. treatment plant, sewerage and CSOs  Better public information  Beach management  Predict and protect systems – allow (expect) short pollution  Beach signage – SEPA signs, LA signs  Abnormal situations 1 in 4 year  Sampling calendar – within 4 days