Scottish Environment Protection Agency rates Findhorn's bathing waters as 'excellent'
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THE waters off a local beach have been top rated by the country’s principal environmental regulator.
Scotland’s bathing water season officially began on June 1 and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has confirmed that 94 per cent of the nation’s 85 designated bathing waters have been rated sufficient or better, including Findhorn’s ‘excellent’ conditions.
Findhorn Village Conservation Company (FVCC) secretary Cathy Low is thrilled with the announcement.
She said: “As a regular swimmer in the bay and the Moray Firth, I think this is great news.
“With the high number of people enjoying our beautiful beaches and spending time on and in the sea, it will be reassuring to all.
“We hope everyone enjoys the sea in a safe manner this summer.
“Please remember to check the tides and currents!”
See www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-scotland/grampian/findhorn-weather.htm for updates.
A core of Findhorn’s residents regularly pick up litter and waste from the beach and dunes area.
Cathy added: “The villagers take great pride in the natural beauty of its dunes, bay and back shore.
“It’s great to see everyone working together to help protect this fragile area.”
FVCC has purchased litter picking equipment to support its volunteers by having tools available to make the task easier and safer.
It is available for loan by emailing findhornvcc@gmail.com.
Visitors can also help ensure Findhorn’s excellent rating is retained by ensuring they put litter in the bins provided or by taking it home.
“There are plenty of bins in the area,” said Cathy, “especially around the bay and at the west beach car park.
“However, unfortunately, we still find discarded tents, empty bottles, litter and dog excrement in the dunes and beach area which we have to dispose of.”
Nairn East has also been rated by SEPA as ‘sufficient’ while Nairn Central is ‘good’.
Lossiemouth East is also ‘sufficient’.
Samples taken across the season are used to calculate the general water quality classification for display at the start of the following season.
Classifications are excellent, good, sufficient and poor, and are based on four years of monitoring data.
SEPA chief executive, Terry A’Hearn, pointed out that protecting and improving bathing waters is crucial for the environment, local economies and communities.
He said: “We hope Scotland’s weather will enable both residents and visitors to enjoy our seaside resorts and beaches over the summer months.
“With so many of our beaches already meeting strict environmental standards, it’s great to see that there has been a continued general improvement in Scotland’s classifications over the last few years.”
He added: “SEPA is committed to the challenge of building on the progress Scotland has made and bringing all of our bathing waters up to ‘sufficient’ or better.
“We continue to work with Scottish Government and our key partner organisations to help all of Scotland’s bathing waters improve in future years.
“Work is progressing through further investment and infrastructure improvements, along with managing pressures from rural and diffuse pollution, and by also engaging with communities.”
