Largs Pencil and Millport Bay have been rated 'excellent' bathing waters in a boost to local tourism - the only ones in Ayrshire to do so.
Seamill was rated as 'good' during the annual report by environmental regulators, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
and its key partners are continuing work to ensure that all the designated bathing waters in Ayrshire meet strict European water quality standards as the new season begins today (1 June 2017).
Calum McPhail, from SEPA’s Environmental Quality Unit, said: ““Our electronic information signs in Largs, and Millport help people make informed decisions about whether to use bathing waters. We make daily water quality predictions and display these forecasts on our electronic signs at the beaches, our website and smartphone app. Potential water users can then see if the water is likely to be acceptable or not on any specific day.”
North Ayrshire Council’s Russell McCutcheon, Head of Service (Commercial) said: “Our beaches are fantastic and play an important role in tourism across North Ayrshire. It’s vitally important that we look after them and respect them.
“We are pleased to be working with our partner organisations but would also urge the public to play their part to protect and improve these bathing waters by using the facilities available to dispose of any litter and dog waste.”
Christine Cuthbertson, Ayrshire Regional Manager, NFU Scotland, said: “The farming community in Ayrshire has long recognised our part in protecting and improving risks of pollution arising for farm steadings and fields. We have made considerable progress over a number of years in order to comply with the relevant rules and regulations. For example along with Scottish Government support, Ayrshire farmers have invested several millions of pounds in improved facilities.”
Kerry Davidson, Technical Lead in Environment Science and Regulation at Scottish Water, said: “We have already invested substantially to improve many of our assets in Ayrshire and have recently completed studies to better understand the impact our assets have on bathing waters in Ayrshire.
“We are currently working with SEPA to finalise further investment priorities.
“Customers and businesses can help by ensuring that they only flush and drain the right things down toilets and sinks, not sanitary items, bathroom wipes, fats, oil or grease, and avoid causing blockages to drains and sewers which can cause pollution on beaches.”