Scots bathing in glory

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has reported that 84% of bathing waters north of the Border will be rated excellent or good for 2024.

The watchdog also reported that 98% of the country’s bathing waters will meet or exceed the sufficient classification. It said the data has arisen from sampling and analysis that it conducted over the summer.

The 2024 classifications will be:

• 38 (43%) Excellent

• 37 (42%) Good

• 12 (13%) Sufficient

• 2 (2%) Poor

SEPA’s Principal Scientist for bathing waters, Ruth Stidson, said Scotland’s bathing waters were at “the best water quality since 2015, when tighter standards first came into force. Over this time those with the highest excellent classification has increased from 17 to 38, and the number with a poor classification has fallen from 17 to two.”

She added: “We’ve worked with businesses, farmers and land managers across the country to help them understand how they can make changes to protect water quality. All these successes show that, while it can take time to see big improvements, they are possible.”

SEPA listed pressures on bathing waters including “overflows from the drainage network and misconnections from homes and businesses. Agricultural run-off and bacteria from dog fouling and gulls can also be factors.”