The Bathing Waters (Scotland) Regulations 2008

PART 1 S INTESTINAL ENTEROCOCCI AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

Location of monitoring point S

1.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), where SEPA take samples in compliance with this Part they must do so from the monitoring point situated at each bathing water.

(2) SEPA must–

(a) locate the monitoring point at every bathing water where most bathers are expected: and,

(b) where possible, take samples 30 centimetres below the water's surface and in water that is at least one metre deep.

(3) Where for whatever reason the taking of samples from the monitoring point is not possible or would pose a danger to any person, SEPA must take samples from the next best site where it is possible to take samples in accordance with sub-paragraph (2)(b) and it is safe to do so.

Monitoring calendar S

2.—(1) SEPA must–

(a) establish a calendar which specifies dates for sampling for every bathing water before the start of every bathing season (“a monitoring calendar”); and

(b) take samples at every bathing water no later than 4 days after the date specified in the monitoring calendar.

(2) SEPA may suspend the monitoring calendar for the duration of an abnormal situation.

(3) As soon as possible after the end of an abnormal situation SEPA must–

(a) take one additional sample in order to verify that the situation has ended;

(b) take sufficient additional samples to ensure that it has the minimum number required for the bathing water for the bathing season; and

(c) notify the Scottish Ministers of the suspension and provide them with the reasons for it.

(4) SEPA must not include a sample taken under sub-paragraph (3)(a) in the set of bathing water quality data for a bathing water.

(5) Where an abnormal situation continues beyond the end of a bathing season, SEPA need not take a sample in terms of sub-paragraph (3)(a).

Monitoring S

3.—(1) SEPA must–

(a) take and analyse at least 4 samples from every bathing water for every bathing season except where subparagraph (2) or (3) applies;

(b) take the first such sample for every bathing season shortly before the start of that season; and

(c) take samples from every bathing water throughout the bathing season at regular intervals and, except where the bathing water is situated in a region subject to special geographical constraints, such intervals must not exceed one month.

(2) Where the bathing season for a particular bathing water does not exceed 8 weeks, SEPA needs to take and analyse only 3 samples.

(3) Where a bathing water is situated in a region subject to special geographical constraints, SEPA needs to take and analyse only 3 samples.

Short-term pollution S

4.—(1) This paragraph applies where the appropriate signage and management measures for short-term pollution are in place in accordance with regulations 8 and 12 and a short-term pollution incident is occurring or is predicted to occur.

(2) SEPA may decide not to include samples taken during a short-term pollution incident in the set of bathing water quality data for a bathing water.

(3) As soon as possible after the end of the short-term pollution incident, SEPA must take one additional sample in order to verify that the incident has ended.

(4) SEPA must not include the sample taken under sub-paragraph (3) in the set of bathing water quality data for a bathing water.

(5) 7 days after the end of the short-term pollution incident, SEPA must, if necessary, take an additional sample to ensure that it has the minimum number required for the bathing water for the bathing season.

(6) The number of samples disregarded under sub-paragraph (2) by SEPA must represent no more than the greater of–

(a) 15 percent of the total number of samples provided for in the monitoring calendars for the relevant assessment period and that bathing season; or

(b) one sample per bathing season.