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EC Bathing Waters and Bathing Water quality management

EC Bathing Waters and Bathing Water quality management. Calum McPhail Environmental Quality Unit manager. Caroline Dilks Senior Scientist. Recent BWs Directive compliance - Scotland. 2006 - all 61 sites passed (first time since monitoring began in mid 1980’s)

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EC Bathing Waters and Bathing Water quality management

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

  2. Recent BWs Directive compliance - Scotland 2006 - 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

  3. Regulations (Scotland) made March 2008 BW profiles for March 2011 Monitoring starts 2012 First Compliance report 2015

  4. 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)

  5. Revised 2006 Directive • Focus is on two parameters for analysis - Intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coliinstead 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).

  6. Revised 2006 Directive • 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

  7. 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

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

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

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

  14. Reviews / updates Cycles based on current classification Summary of 2010 classification (Directive 2006/7/EC) • Excellent : 21 • Good : 21 • Sufficient : 13 • Poor : 27

  15. 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.

  16. Conclusion and summary • Moving towards 2015

  17. 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

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