Water quality is tops at Findhorn
FINDHORN is among 50 Scottish beaches to have been commended for the condition of their water.
A report from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recommends the sea in the area for bathing because of the “excellent water quality”.
“Our results use water samples taken during last summers bathing season from June to September,” said MCS coastal pollution officer, Rachel Wyatt.
“They were taken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).”
SEPA indicated that their sample met EC guideline standards of “less than or equal to 100 Escherichia coli per 100ml and less than or equal to 100 intestinal enterococci per 100ml.”
Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve management committee look after the beach and bay area on behalf of Moray Council.
“We’re very happy about the state of the water in the bay,” said committee chair, Pat Carroll.
“It is wonderful that it continues to improve, particularly since sewage has been processed in Forres rather than Kinloss.”
The committee have recently been awarded £6,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The money will be used to renovate the bird hide at the sanctuary and towards a Findhorn Bay website that will include a link to SEPA’s site showing their water test results.
“It has to be said that the beach from Findhorn to Burghead and on the inner side of the bay is one of the premier locations in the UK,” said Pat.
“There are few beaches as beautiful, it is wonderfully clean and a delight to walk on at all times.”
MCS recommends that bathers in Scotland should only use beaches recommended in their Good Beach Guide to maintain pressure on Scottish Water, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and local councils to tackle the sources of bathing water pollution.
Findhorn Bay is already on the right road, described on the MCS website as: “A sheltered estuary noted for its birdlife, particularly migrating wildfowl. It is also much favoured for water sports and as a destination for coastal ramblers. The Local Nature Reserve is managed by local people.”