Bathing Water

Bathing Water Directive

The EU are currently consulting on a Revision to the Bathing Water Directive (pdf) which sets standards for designated bathing waters.

The Commission proposed

an obligation to meet a much tighter bathing water quality standard than the existing Bathing Water Directive.
very limited provisions for recreational waters with no standards for these waters.
some management measures for bathing waters.
improved provision of information at bathing waters.

The SCA will be trying to ensure that paddlers get a good deal from the revision by asking for

recreational waters to be included as well as specifically bathing waters..
more inland sites to be designated as bathing waters. Currently the only designated inland bathing waters in Scotland are Luss bay on Loch Lomond and Dores on Loch Ness.
better publicity of results at existing designated bathing sites.
recognition that the people are in the water year-round even in Scotland and therefore monitoring should cover the whole year rather than just June-Sept.