Search Legislation

The Surface Waters (Fishlife) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1997

 Help about what version

What Version

  • Latest available (Revised)
  • Original (As made)

More Resources

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Regulations 2, 3 and 4

SCHEDULE

PART ICRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION OF WATERS AS SALMONID AND CYPRINID WATERS

No. in Annex 1 to 78/659/—EECParameterRequirements to be satisfied for salmonid watersRequirements to be satisfied for cyrpinid watersMethods of analysis or inspectionMinimum sampling and measuring frequencyObservations
1.Temperature (°C)

1.  Temperature measured downstream of a point of thermal discharge (at the edge of a mixing zone) must not exceed the unaffected temperature by more than 1.5°C for salmonid waters and 3°C for cyrpinid waters.

Derogations limited in geographical scope may be decided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency if the Agency can show that there are no harmful consequences for the balanced development of the fish population.

2.  Thermal discharges must not cause the temperature downstream of the point of thermal discharge (at the edge of the mixing zone) to exceed–

(a)10°C (0) during the breeding season in the case of

(b)at other times or in the case of waters which do not contain such species,

21.5°C (0) for salmonid waters and 28°C (0) for cyprinid waters.

Temperature limits may, however, be exceeded for 2% of the time.

Thermometry.Weekly, both upstream and downstream of the point of thermal discharge.Over-sudden variations in temperature must be avoided.
2.Dissolved oxygen (mg/1 02)

50% ≥ 9

When the oxygen concentration falls below 6mg/1, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency shall comply with regulation 4(6) and the Agency must prove that this situation will have no harmful consequences for the balanced development of the fish population.

50% ≥ 7

When the oxygen concentration falls below 4mg/1, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency shall comply with regulation 4(6) and the Agency must prove that this situation will have no harmful consequences for the balanced development of the fish population.

Winkler’s method or specific electrodes (electro-chemical method).

Monthly, minimum one sample representative of low oxygen conditions on the day of sampling.

However, where major daily variations are suspected, a minimum of two samples in one day shall be taken.

3.pH

6 to 9 (0)

Artificial pH variations with respect to the unaffected values shall not exceed +0.5 of a pH unit within the limits falling between 6 and 9 provided that these variations do not increase the harmfulness of other substances present in the water.

Electrometry calibration by means of two solutions with known pH values, preferably on either side of, and close to the pH being measuredMonthly
8.Phenolic compounds (mg/1C6 H5 OH)Phenolic compounds must not be present in such concentrations that they adversely affect fish flavour.By taste.An examination by taste shall be made only where the presence of phenolic compounds is presumed.
9.Petroleum hydrocarbons

Petroleum products must not be present in the water in such quantities that they–

(a)

form a visible film on the surface of the water or form coatings on the beds of water-courses and lakes;

(b)

impart a detectable “hydrocardon” taste to fish;

(c)

produce harmful effects on fish.

Visual.

By taste.

Monthly.A visual examination shall be made regularly once a month, with an examination by taste only where the presence of hydrocarbons is presumed.
10.Non-ionised ammonia (mg/1 NH3)≤ 0.025Molecular absorption spectrophotometry using indophenol blue or Nessler’s method associated with pH and temperature determination.Monthly.Values for non-ionised ammonia may be exceeded in the form of minor peaks in the daytime.
11.Total ammonium (mg/1 NH4)

In order to diminish the risk of toxicity due to non-ionised ammonia, of oxygen consumption due to nitrification and of eutrophication, the concentrations of total ammonium should not exceed 1 mg/1.

In particular geographical or climatic conditions and particularly in cases of low water temperature and of reduced nitrification or where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency can show that there are no harmful consequences for the balanced development of the fish population, the Agency may fix a value higher than 1 mg/1.

Molecular absorption spectrophotometry using indophenol blue or Nessler’s method associated with pH and temperature determination.Monthly.
12.Total residual chlorine (mg/1 HOC1)≤ 0.005DPD-method (diethyl-p-phenylenedia-mene)Monthly

The value corresponds to pH = 6

Higher concentrations of total chlorine can be accepted if the pH is higher.

13.Total Zinc (mg/1 Zn)≤ 0.3≤ 1.0Atomic Absorption spectrometry.Monthly.

The values correspond to a water hardness of 100 mg/1 CaCO3.

For hardness levels between 10 and 500 mg/1 corresponding limit values can be found in the Table in Part II of this Schedule.

PART IIZINC CONCENTRATIONS (mg/1 Zn) FOR DIFFERENT WATER HARDNESS VALUES BETWEEN 10 AND 500 mg/1 CaCO3

Classification of watersWater hardness (mg/1 CaC03)
1050100500
Salmonid waters (mg/1 Zn)0.030.20.30.5
Cyprinid waters (mg/1 Zn)0.30.71.02.0

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources