Ayr’s popular beach has been saved from becoming a no-go zone after achieving pass marks for the first time in four years.
The water quality at the beach had been plagued with below-par scores due to worrying levels of pollution.
After four ‘poor’ gradings, there were fears a fifth would be a devastating blow to tourism with Ayr (South Beach) losing its bathing water status.
Another 'poor' grading could have seen Ayr beach with 'Keep Out' signs as visitors would have been warned off from taking a dip at the staycation hotspot.
However, environment chiefs have confirmed the water is now ‘good’ after efforts were stepped up with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water, South Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Government salvaging the situation.
SEPA has hailed a successful year for Ayr (South Beach) with samples showing ‘significant’ improvements in water quality.
It says work with local farmers and land managers as well as a largely dry summer help the pollution run-off and has ensured the beach cleaned up its act.
SEPA chief executive Terry A’Hearn said: “The success at Ayr (South Beach) clearly demonstrates the bold and timely action that can come from partnership working.
“All across Scotland, we seek to protect watercourses through licensing, inspection and regulation of discharge, advice and guidance to the public, industry, developers and local authorities, and pollution incident response.
“We will continue to work with our partners to raise or maintain the state of bathing waters all across Scotland, so that summer visits to the beach can be safer and more enjoyable for us all.”
Earlier this year, Scottish Water confirmed they were pumping £10 million into saving Ayr beach.
The work supported by SEPA included increasing storm storage capacity at two wastewater treatment works, and at a combined sewer overflow asset at Belleisle – which has been praised for directly improving Ayr beaches' water quality.
A temporary chemical disinfection at Minishant septic tank also proved to be successful.
Scottish Water chiefs say the multi-million project is great news for the local tourist industry and the environment.
Simon Parsons, strategic customer services planning director at Scottish Water, said: “We’re delighted that our £10 million investment in wastewater infrastructure at Belleisle, Mauchline and Drongan has positively contributed towards protecting the bathing water status of Ayr (South).
Minister for environment and land reform Mairi McAllan said: “This is great news for the people of Ayr and the thousands of people who visit its shores every year.”
South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for environment, Councillor Ian Cochrane, added: “I am delighted that the standard of bathing water quality at Ayr South Beach has been reclassified from poor to good.
"This beach is one of the busiest in Scotland, and it is reassuring to know that residents and visitors can continue to fully use and enjoy its waters.
“I would also like to recognise the outstanding work of all stakeholders involved, which has ultimately led to this outcome.
"Scottish Water, SEPA, the Scottish Government, the Council and local farmers and land managers have all made significant effort to achieve this result.”
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