Surfers Against Sewage Are Calling For A Review of the UK’s Bathing Water Sample Sites.

Scottish Report

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) believe the weekly bathing water samples required by the EU Bathing Water Directive should be taken from the area of the bathing water that presents bathers and water users with the greatest source of pollution, if a significant amount of bathers and recreational water users can be expected to regularly use that are area of beach.

Surfers Against Sewage are concerned that 45 designated bathing water sample spots around the UK do not provide a true guide to the water quality that a bather or water user might experience at our bathing waters, including 14 in Scotland. The implications are incredible concerning, as our widely promoted water quality results could be misleading the public about the potential health risk at a number of the UK’s bathing water.

The Bathing Water Directive states (Art3.3) the monitoring point should be where most bathers are expected or the greatest risk of pollution is expected, according to the bathing water profile.

In the UK Regulations (Schedule 4.1) Defra have transposed the obligation to locate the monitoring point where the most bathers are expected. This was part of the original transposition

The European Commission’s Reference Document for the monitoring and assessment requirements of the revised Bathing Water Directive published August 2014 states:

• A bathing water is not defined by its physical size. The length of its corresponding beach can vary between bathing waters and the distribution of bathers within a bathing water can be uneven. If there are, or could be, significant differences in water quality within any discrete area, then appropriate measures (such as ensuring monitoring targets the area presenting

the greatest risk to bathers, or sub-dividing the area into separately identified bathing waters) must be taken. • A single location for collecting a sample should be designated regardless of the length of a bathing beach provided it is representative of the quality of the entire bathing water and a large numbers of bathers are distributed evenly along a bathing beach. Where large numbers of bathers are distributed unevenly along the length of a beach or a bathing water does not meet the requirements of uniform water quality that would satisfy the conditions for a grouped bathing water, it must be separated into individual bathing waters.

Surfers Against Sewage have also included bathing waters where sample spots appear to be placed away from the majority of bathing resources. Coastal observations suggest the majority of beach users utilize the areas surrounding the entrance to the beach. Only the minority seems to arrive at the beach and walk a significant distance from the main access route/car park/infrastructure. For this reason the recommendations given below are not only based around local knowledge from SAS’s extensive regional rep network but also the positioning of car parks, beach access routes, cafes, shops, lifeguard huts etc.

There are 14 sites highlighted for review in this document and their regional distribution are shown below:

East Scotland West Scotland Pease Bay Saltcoats Dunbar (Belhaven) Irvine Longniddry Prestwick Seaton Sands Ayr South Portobello Central Stonehaven Southerness Fraserburgh (Tigerhill) Rosemarkie

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Pease Bay

Background

Pease is a sandy beach with rocky outcrops and a reef area to the east. High cliffs can be found on either side of the bay and it is backed by a large caravan park. Two stream; Pease Burn and Cockburnspath Burn flow across the beach. All facilities at this beach are in the campsite; parking, toilets, cafes, a shop and a restaurant. Swimming, bathing, Stand Up Paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing and surfing are popular here. A sewer overflow discharges into the Pease Burn which flows across the beach to the sea.

Reasons for proposed change

Pease Bay is a popular spot for surfers who tend to surf directly in front of the river (into which a sewer overflow discharges) that flows through the campsite. This also happened to be where the main access point from the car park and Holiday Park are and is directly in front of a playground. The current sampling point is around 300m west of the main bather area and sewer overflow.

Current sampling point several hundred metres from the main bather area

A sewer overflow discharges into the stream which flows to the sea close to the most popular bather area

The recommended sampling

spot is between the two rivers

and in the middle of the main

bather area

Recommendation Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved around 200metres to the east to put it in the main bather area and also closer to the sewer overflow.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Dunbar (Belhaven)

Background

Dunbar Belhaven beach is a long, sweeping expanse of sand stretching from the Biel Water in the south to the River Tyne in the north. Its southern extent has some infrastructure with the town of Dunbar while sand dunes, saltmarsh and grass land back the beach as you travel northwards. The beach is popular with walkers, nature-lovers and picnickers while surfers, especially beginners, hone their skills in the sea here. Cafes, toilets, restaurants, shops, parking and other facilities can be found in the nearby town of Dunbar.

Reasons for proposed change

At the eastern end of the beach, some 400m from the sampling point, can be found the main beach access route, a Holiday Park and the car park. A stream with multiple sewer overflows discharging into it flows across the beach at this end. It is also the close to the infrastructure and other facilities of Belhaven and Dunbar.

The current sampling point is several hundred metres from the car park.

Numerous sewer overflows discharge into the river at the eastern end of the beach Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that, due to the infrastructure at the southern end of the beach, the car park, holiday park and beach access route, the sampling point be moved further east, just to the west of the River.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Longniddry

Background

Longniddry is a long, sandy stretch of beach interspersed with rocky outcrops. The beach is backed by a road and a golf club and borders the bathing water of Seton Sands with the town of Cockenzie and Port Seton at the western end and the village of Longniddry to the east. All the facilities of a seaside village/town are within close proximity here; shops, cafes, restaurants, toilets, parking and a campsite. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing are all carried out here while the area is close to nature reserves and so is popular with walkers and nature lovers. There is also a dog exercise area. A sewer overflow discharges across the rocks at the eastern end of the bathing water.

Reasons for proposed change

The current sampling point is in the middle of the beach, some 250metres south of the sewer overflow. Immediately behind this overflow is a large car park, toilets, a beach information sign and main beach access route indicating that this is a main bather area. With the close proximity to the sewage pumping station and the long distance from the sampling point it seems evident that the sampling point needs to be moved.

A CSO discharges some 250m The recommended sampling from the current sampling point site is located close to the car in front of a large car park park and main bather area

The current sampling point is quite a distance from the main car park and beach access route Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we recommend that the sampling point be moved around 200m to the east to be in line with the main bather area indicated by the large car park and beach access route immediately behind this section of beach.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Seton Sands

Background

Adjoining the previously mentioned beach of Longniddry is Seton Sands, a long sand and rock beach popular with horse riding that slopes gently to the sea. The town of Cockenzie and Port Seton can be found at the western end of the beach while a holiday park and golf course back the middle. Rock pools can be found at the western end as the tide ebbs. All the facilities expected of a small town can be found here; shops, cafes, restaurants, toilets, parking and a small harbour while the holiday park has an amusement arcade. The beach is popular with walkers while canoeists, kayakers, swimmers, windsurfers and kite surfers can often be found in the sea. A number of sewer overflows can be found in this area while several streams also flow across the bathing water.

Reasons for proposed change

The current sampling point is located close to the infrastructure and facilities of the village of Longniddry and the golf course towards the eastern end of the bathing water. There is also a large car park to support this being a main bather area. However, nearly a kilometre to the west, the holiday park and town of Port Seton are located directly behind several sewer overflows. With the facilities provided by these (large car parks, beach access routes, beach information signs etc) it is clear that they are also main bather areas.

The current sampling point is located at the eastern end of the bathing water

A number of sewer overflows There is a car park and toilets discharge in and around this located close to the current bathing water sampling spot

The holiday park is located quite a way from the sampling point but close to a sewer overflow. As this appears to be the most popular bather area, it makes sense to put the sampling spot here

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the bathing water be re-designated as two bathing waters with separate sampling points. It is clear from the infrastructure and facilities that there are several main bathing water regions and these are supported by toilets, car parks, beach access routes and beach information signs. Failing this re-designation, we recommend that the sampling point be moved nearly 1 kilometre to the west in line with the main bather area created by the campsite.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Portobello Central

Background

Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Portobello is a long, sandy, popular beach backed by a promenade and divided by groynes along its length. The beach slopes gently to the sea and, at high tide, the water’s edge can be some distance from the beach back. Immediately behind the beach can be found a large built up area. All the expected facilities can be found this close to the city; shops, cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, toilets, parking, a leisure centre and several amusement arcades. Swimming, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, fishing and occasionally surfing are all carried out here. There are a number of sewer overflows flanking this bathing water, including a number that discharge into the Friggate Burn at the western end of the beach.

Reasons for proposed change

This is a 1.4km stretch of beach with several car parks, beach access routes and constant infrastructure and facilities behind indicating that the whole stretch is used for bathing. A sewer overflow discharges some 500m to the east of the sampling point close to a car park, beach access route and toilets. There is also infrastructure indicating a bather area at the western extent close to the river.

Numerous sewer overflows discharge into the Friggate Burn while another is located on the beach

The current sampling point is close to the centre of the beach

The facilities at the eastern end Another sewer overflow of the beach indicate a popular bather area here, therefore discharges across the rocks at the eastern end of the beach needing a sampling spot

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be divided into multiple bathing waters, all with separate sampling points. There are clearly multiple bather areas, each with the facilities to support them and each requiring its own sampling spot.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Stonehaven

Background

A half-moon-shaped sandy bay fronts the town of Stonehaven with the harbour at its southern end and rocky outcrops to the north. The rivers Carron and Cowie flow across the beach to meet the sea at separate places along it. Stonehaven is a popular beach. Parking, toilets, a caravan and camp site, a leisure centre and lido, shops, cafes, restaurants, kiosks and all the facilities expected in a large town can be found here. Popular for its watersports, Stonehaven is well-used for sailing, boating, fishing, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, Stand Up Paddle boarding, kite surfing, windsurfing and surfing are all carried out here. There are a large number of sewer overflows that discharge into the sea at this beach; 3 discharge to the north, 5 to the south, 2 through the River Carron and one more through the River Cowie.

Reasons for proposed change

This is another long stretch of beach with indications of multiple bather areas. At the northern end is a camp site, open air swimming pool, car park and beach access point. There are a number of sewer overflows along the length of this beach including several around this region. The sampling point is around 600m to the south.

Multiple sewer overflows surround this bathing water

The sampling point is The recommended move located close to the centre is to re-designate the of the beach beach as two bathing waters.

Numerous sewer overflows can be found in the south

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be re- designated as two separate bathing waters; north and south divided by the river Cowie. The sampling point for the northern bathing water should be in line with the campsite, car park and open-air swimming pool which, combined with the beach access point appears to be a popular bather area and is also within close proximity to several of the sewer overflow.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Fraserburgh (Tigerhill)

Background

A beach popular with families, Fraserburgh is a long stretch of sand backed by a large sand dune system. The large town of Fraserburgh with its harbour lies at the east of the beach while Philorth Water meets the sea at the southern extent. With the town perched at the eastern end there is no shortage of facilities; shops, restaurants, cafes, parking, toilets, bars, pubs, hotels and leisure facilities are all available here. Swimming, bathing, kayaking, boating, canoeing, sailing and surfing are all popular here. There are no sewer overflows discharging directly at this beach, however there are a number close by that may affect bathing water quality.

Reasons for proposed change

Fraserburgh is a 2km stretch of beach with the majority of infrastructure being at the western end – the large town of Fraserburgh, car parks, toilets, beach access routes etc, while the sampling point is over 500m to the east. There are also a number of sewer overflows at the western end and close to the main bather area.

Numerous sewer overflows can be found around the western end of the beach With the separate beach access and holiday park, the recommendation is to re-designate this beach as two bathing waters.

The recommended sampling point is at a large car park, beach information point, beach-side café and beach access point.

The present sampling point is over 500m east of the main bather area

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved around 600m to the west to put it in line with the main bather area indicated by the supporting facilities; large car park, beach information point, beach access route and beach-side café.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Rosemarkie

Background

Rosemarkie is a located in front of the small town of Rosemarkie on the east coast of Moray. The beach is sand and looks out onto Fort George across the Moray Firth. It is small and slopes gradually to the shallow waters. Facilities are relatively limited here with a pub, car park and toilet on the beach and other facilities nearby in the town. Coastal walks are popular here while swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing also take place. Bottlenose Dolphins are commonly sighted here making it popular with nature lovers. A number of sewer overflows discharge into the Rosemarkie Burn which flows across the beach to the sea.

Reasons for proposed change

The sampling point is located around 200m north of a car park and the town of Rosemarkie on the northern side of the river. This means the majority of the facilities, the car park and beach access route are divided from the sampling point by the river into which a number of sewer overflows discharge upstream.

The current sampling point is over 200m north of a car park and the town of Rosemarkie

There are several sewer overflows that discharge into the stream and some more that discharge onto the beach.

The recommended sampling point is in line with the car park and beach access route

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the sampling point be moved over 200m south to cover the bather area indicated by the car park and beach access route which is also close to a number of sewer overflows.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Saltcoats

Background

Saltcoats is a 1km stretch of sand located in a sheltered bay in between the towns of Saltcoats and Androssan. The beach has fantastic views across the to the Isle of Arran. This is a popular beach that slopes gently to shallow coastal waters. Rockpools are available to the west while in the east can be found man-made boating ponds. A small stream, the Stanley Burn, intersects the beach almost exactly down the middle. All the relevant facilities expected of seaside towns are available here; shops, cafes, restaurants, take-aways, kiosks, toilets, parking, a campsite, a leisure centre and several train stations. Swimming, bathing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are all carried out here while rockpooling is also popular. The beach is flanked by sewer overflows discharging from headlands on either side of the beach while several more discharge into the stream.

Reasons for proposed change

The main reason for proposing the change to the location of the sampling point at this beach is the large car park, beach information sign and beach access route that is located almost on top of the mouth of the stream and seems to indicate a main bather area. This is around 400m east of the current sampling point.

The current sampling point is several 400m to the east of the sampling hundred metres to the west of the main point and close to the Stanley car park and beach access route. Burn, the recommended sampling point is in front of the car park

A number of sewer overflows discharge upstream of the Stanley Burn while more can be found at either end of the beach.

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that, either the beach be re-designated into numerous bathing waters with separate sampling points, or the current sampling point be moved some 400m to the east, closer to what appears to be the main bather area.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Irvine

Background

The Irvine bathing water is a long (2.5km) stretch of sand that fronts the town of Irvine. The beach is backed by sand dunes, an industrial estate, a golf course and a leisure centre. The beach slopes gently at its back before flattening out while, at low tide, the water’s edge can be some distance from the beach back. The River Irvine marks the northern extent of the bathing water. The facilities at the immediate beach are limited with parking, toilets and a café in close proximity while other facilities such as shops, cafes, restaurants and a leisure centre can be found in the nearby town of Irvine. Swimming, bathing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and boat trips are all popular here. A number of sewer overflows discharge into the River Irvine while another discharges across the beach further south.

Reasons for proposed change

A large, main car park, the leisure centre, a beach access route, beach information sign and Irvine Harbour are all located at the northern end of the beach indicating that this is by far the most popular area and, thus, the main bather area can be found here. The sampling point, however, is approximately 300m to the south.

The recommended sampling point is several hundred metres north, closer to the main bather area

The sampling point is some distance from either car park

A number of CSOs discharge on into the River Irvine while another discharges across the beach in front of a car park

Recommendation

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend the sampling point be moved around 400m north in front of the large car park and closer to the facilities that indicate a main bather area. There is also a sewer overflow discharging directly in front of car park nearly a kilometre south of this area, however it is much smaller than the one in the north.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Prestwick

Background

Prestwick is a long sandy beach with stunning views across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran. The northern extent of the bathing water is bordered by the Pow Burn and is backed by the extensive Prestwick Golf Course, behind which is Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The town of Prestwick lies behind the beach while in the south can be found Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club. All the expected facilities can be found here; toilets, car parks, restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, hotels etc. Fishing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming are all popular here. A large number of sewer overflows discharge upstream of the Pow Burn while several more can be found along the beach.

Reasons for proposed change

Prestwick is 3km long, with multiple car parks, beach access routes and bather areas and also several sewer overflows along its length. Prestwick Holiday Park is located at the north of the beach with its own beach access route in close proximity to the Pow Burn with its numerous sewer overflows. The sampling point is around 2km to the south while at the very southern end (around 1km south of the sampling point) a sewer overflow discharges in front of a car park.

With the access route from the campsite it is clear that this is a popular bather area, indicating that it needs a sampling point

Numerous sewer overflows discharge into the Pow Burn at the north of the bathing water while several more can be found at intervals down the beach.

The current sampling point covers a bather area, however due to the size of the beach there are many more not covered.

The facilities here indicate a popular bather area and so it is a recommended sampling spot

Recommendations

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be split into multiple (i.e. more than 2) bathing waters. This is due to a myriad factors including; the size of the beach (3km) the number and placement of sewer overflows along its length and the infrastructure and facilities behind the beach that support numerous bather areas. There is a campsite with beach access at the northen end of the beach, a large car park and beach access point close to the centre where the current sampling point is located and another large car park with beach information signs and beach access around 1km further south of this.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Ayr (South)

Background

Located between the River Ayr in the north and the in the south, Ayr South Beach is a long (3.5km) sandy beach famous for its golden sand that runs adjacent to the seaside town of Ayr. The beach slopes gently to the water’s edge which, at low tide, can be several hundred metres from the beach back. All the expected facilities and amenities can be found here with shops, bars, pubs, hotels, cafes, restaurants, leisure centres, car parks, toilets, bowling greens and cinemas. Swimming, bathing, fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, boating and cruises on the PS Waverley (the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world) can all be found here. A myriad sewer overflows discharge along this beach with several discharging into both of the bordering rivers at either end of the beach and a number more along the beaches length.

Reasons for proposed change

With the infrastructure – cafes, shops, car parks, toilets, beach access routes – and the general length of the beach (3.5km) it is clear that there are a number of bather areas present on this bathing water. A cycle route and promenade run most of the length. The sampling point is located towards the north of the beach while several large car parks can be found further south.

The current sampling point is located towards the north of the bathing water, over 2km from the furthest bather area

There are a large number of sewer overflows that discharge into and around this bathing water

The recommended sampling point is in front of a large car park and facilities supporting a popular bather area

Recommendations

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be split into multiple bathing waters, each with their own sampling point. This is to support the many bather areas apparent by large car parks, beach access points and beach-side cafes scattered along its length.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Girvan

Background

Located on the south coast, Girvan is a 2km, flat stretch adjacent to the seaside town of Girvan and just north of the Hills Special Area of Conservation. The beach is predominantly sand with some areas of shingle and slopes gently to the water’s edge. The beach is famous for its views of the Ailsa Crag and the Kintyre Peninsula. The usual facilities can be found here at this, more traditional, seaside resort; kiosks, shops, cafes, restaurants, car parks, toilets, picnic spots, a leisure pool, boating lake and parkland. Swimming, boating, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are all commonplace here. A number of sewer overflows discharge into the Water of Girvan at the north of the bathing water.

Reasons for proposed change

The current sampling point is nearly 1km south of the river mouth into which a number of sewer overflows discharge. There is also a large car park with a boating lake, amusement arcade, toilets and a beach access point that indicates it is a popular bather area.

A number of sewer overflows flow into the Water of Girvan which meets the sea at the northern end of the beach

The second recommended sampling point is much further north, closer to the main bather area

The sampling point is nearly 1km south of the sewer overflows and main bather area

Recommendations

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the beach be re- designated as two separate bathing waters. The current sampling point be kept the same while another be created around 800m north to be located in front of the large car park with other facilities indicating it to be a main bather area. This will also put it closer to the sewer overflows, providing accurate readings for bathers and water users.

Surfers Against Sewage recommendation to review the sampling point at Southerness

Background

Located in front of a Park Dean Holiday Park and Southerness Golf Course, Southerness is a small, inverted horse shoe shaped bay mainly consisting of rocks and rock pools with some sandy patches. As the beach lies close to a large estuary, large areas of mud flats are revealed as the tide drops. Facilities are fairly limited here with just the golf course and Holiday Park in the immediate vicinity. Swimming and bathing are occasionally carried out here with rock pooling also done. A sewer overflow is located towards the eastern end of the bathing water.

Reasons for proposed change

The current sampling point is located in a very rocky area of beach while to the east can be found a large patch of sand with an access route from the Holiday Park.

The sewer overflow is in front of the main access route from the Holiday Park and on a sandy stretch

The sampling point is located in a rocky section

Recommendations

Based on the information provided above, we would recommend that the current sampling point be moved over a kilometre to the east to a large sandy area accessed via the main route from the Holiday Park.

References

Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2014., Bathing Water Profiles [online]

Google, 2014 Maps [online] available at