Scottish Government consultation on determining the 2020 bathing season

The Scottish Government has opened a new consultation seeking views on the proposal to postpone the determination of the bathing season for 2020 and the designation of any bathing waters. This is in light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and the matter would be kept under review throughout the summer months.

The aim of the Bathing Waters (Scotland) Regulations 2008 is to protect public health by: 

• monitoring water quality at locations popular with large numbers of bathers 
• providing public information on that water quality 
• taking steps to improve water quality where the necessary standards are not met

The regulations require that Scottish ministers must consult with the public and relevant public bodies about any proposed change in the period of the bathing water season, and take due account of the results.

The consultation opened on 15 May 2020 and will remain open for comments until 29 May 2020. 

Source: Scottish Government, 15 May 2020