Sun, sea and... SHAME
Don’t go in . . . the water’s not fine
Water in the shallows off Ayr Beach has been designated TOXIC with sunseekers being warned to stick to the sand.
The alert has gone out for what is Scotland’s busiest beach.
And monitoring watchdog SEPA is telling people not to take a dip after rainfall.
That is because human and animal waste is being washed in off the land.
Ayr Beach and its neighbour at Heads of Ayr have both been hit with a POOR rating by SEPA.
They monitored the water during the last bathing season, from June to September, and found that our prized shore is at high risk of “faecal contamination”.
And a report warns against going in the water at Ayr beach – stretching from the harbour to Doonfoot – and Heads of Ayr for two days after periods of rain.
Waters in Girvan, Prestwick and Troon also failed to make the top grade, earning only a ‘ sufficient’ rating - and the highest grade achieved in South Ayrshire is Maidens and Culzean, who achieved ‘ good’ standards.
No waters in South Ayrshire were classed as excellent, which is the highest possible ranking.
Ayr MSP John Scott said: “It is clearly disappointing that Ayr beach has been given a ‘ poor’ rating this year for bathing water and, while both Prestwick and Troon received ‘ sufficient’ ratings, it is equally disappointing that they did not achieve the higher grades that everyone locally would want. The
formation by SEPA of an Ayrshire stakeholder partnership group is a welcome development and it must be hoped that this will help identify specific issues that can be tackled in order that the quality of bathing water at these beaches is improved and that any improvements are thereafter sustained.
“Our local beaches make a significant contribution to the tourist economy of Ayr, Troon and Prestwick, so everything possible must be done to enhance water quality at local beaches and indeed to improve and develop the amenities available for both local people and tourists on our seafronts.”
Scientists from SEPA are still trying to determine the source of the waste in waters at Ayr, while Heads of Ayr’s issues are caused by run- off from fields and sewage drainage.
Calum McPhail, of SEPA’s environmental quality unit, said: “While many bathing waters in Ayrshire have met the tight EU water quality standards, we understand that the community will be disappointed, as we are, that Heads of Ayr and Ayr’s south beach have been rated as ‘ poor’.
“These are still fantastic beaches to visit, and we are working with the Scottish Government and our key partner organisation to help all bathing waters to avoid ‘ poor’ classifications.”
Council chiefs say the environment report is “a mixed bag”, and noted that SEPA and Scottish Water are both working to determine exact sources of pollution at Ayr’s south beach, while the caravan park at Heads of Ayr is investing private money to improve drainage to combat the ‘ poor’ ratings.
South Ayrshire Council’ s neighbourhood services boss Mike Newall said: “We’re very proud of our beaches in South Ayrshire and disappointed that bathing water quality has been classified as poor at two of our locations.
“We are encouraged by the action being taken by SEPA and others to address the pollution and we can all do our bit to help by respecting the beach environment as well as our fellow beach users.
“So please make sure you pick up your dog’s waste, dispose of litter appropriately and don’t encourage groups of seagulls to gather by feeding them – that way we can all make a difference.”