Aberdour beach loses blue flag status after 15 years
Published 31 Jul 2012 14:00
2 Comments
ABERDOUR'S Silver Sands beach has lost its international blue flag status for the first time in 15 years due to a drop in water quality.
The flag, awarded by Keep Scotland Beautiful, will be lowered after recent bathing water samples failed to meet the required top EU Bathing Water Directive standards.
Tests on 6th June and the 10th and 17th July failed to meet Intestinal Enterococci standards but, with some samples only narrowly falling short, it should still meet the 'mandatory' standard to fly the Scottish Seaside Award flag.
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said, "Aberdour Silver Sands beach has achieved the prestigious international blue flag award for 15 years, and the much acclaimed Seaside Award for 19 years.
"The beach passed 32 strict criteria this year to obtain the blue flag but unfortunately the blue flag only recognises beaches across the world with the top water quality.
"While we are all bitterly disappointed that the blue flag has had to be withdrawn, we are pleased that Aberdour Silver Sands will continue to be actively managed and that Seaside Award standards will be maintained - allowing visitors to access up to date information about the water quality.
"We would urge people to keep visiting the beach, and to check the most recent water quality results on the information boards or online at www.sepa.org.uk."
Fife councillor David Ross said, "Fife Council is determined to do everything possible to maintain the quality of all our beaches.
"Despite the disappointing news that the slight fall in water quality has meant we haven't met the strict criteria for the blue flag award, we will continue to maintain the high standard of facilities visitors and residents expect for the rest of the season.
"We hope that the fall in water quality will only be a temporary problem caused by the heavy rainfall over the summer and hope to receive a blue flag in the very near future."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 02 Aug 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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bigbarryobama
26 posts
Jul 31, 21:35
Report commentAny relation to the radioactivity just down the coast at Dalgety bay I wonder?
I wonder what flag Dalgety bay got - a glow in the dark one perhaps!
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B2theB
145 posts
Aug 2, 10:03
Report commentMy bad.
Last time I was there I had a sneaky pee in the water.
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