Written Question · S1W-32426 · Session 1
Whether it will detail the locations of sampling points in Banffshire and Aberdeenshire that were used in designating areas as nitrate vuln…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the locations of sampling points in Banffshire and Aberdeenshire that were used in designating areas as nitrate vulnerable 'ones (NVZs); how often, and on what dates, tests were carried out at such locations; what levels of naturally occurring nitrates were found in the samples taken; what further sampling at these locations has been carried out since the intention to designate NVZs was announced, and what the results of any such sampling have been.
The answer
The methodology for identifying and assessing groundwater monitoring sites is given in BGS report reference CR/02/139 titled "Additional groundwater nitrate monitoring sites for Scotland", which is publicly available through the Executive website. In establishing the area to be designated as a nitrate vulnerable zone, data from 952 sites were originally considered in the Banffshire and Aberdeenshire area. The boundaries were subsequently refined and the area proposed for designation contained 809 sampling sites. These included nine North of Scotland Water (now Scottish Water) sites, 23 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) sites and 777 private water supplies. Private water supply data were compiled from a Scotland-wide database containing Local Authority Environmental Health Officers reports. These records were compiled from data collected since 1990. The interval between samples in which nitrate was analysed varies from area to area.The sites now operated by Scottish Water are sampled on a range of timescales, depending on operations.The SEPA sites were established in 2000 and are sampled for nitrate on a quarterly basis.Natural levels of nitrate vary from area to area, depending on local geological conditions. In those areas considered unaffected by enhanced nitrate levels, the range of median nitrate levels in Scotland is 2.4-13.8mg/l. SEPA are responsible for monitoring nitrate levels within the NVZs. The results of their sampling since the designation of the NVZ in June 2002 are listed in the following table.Groundwater Monitoring Sites within NVZ
- Aberdeenshire and BanffshireNGR | Date | Result | Date | Result
NJ67165266 | 23-Jul-02 | 42 | 22-Oct-02 | 44
NJ61635470 | 23-Jul-02 | 28 | 22-Oct-02 | 29
NJ61355194 | 23-Jul-02 | 2 | 22-Oct-02 | 3
NJ63456076 | 08-Jul-02 | 68 | 23-Oct-02 | 59
NJ72721192 | 25-Jul-02 | 1 | 22-Oct-02 | 35
NJ12286801 | 11-Jul-02 | 11 | 22-Oct-02 | 11
NK10204815 | 21-Oct-02 | 7 | 24-Jul-02 | 0
NJ85701493 | 23-Jul-02 | 27 |
- Aberdeenshire and BanffshireNGR | Date | Result | Date | Result
NJ67165266 | 23-Jul-02 | 42 | 22-Oct-02 | 44
NJ61635470 | 23-Jul-02 | 28 | 22-Oct-02 | 29
NJ61355194 | 23-Jul-02 | 2 | 22-Oct-02 | 3
NJ63456076 | 08-Jul-02 | 68 | 23-Oct-02 | 59
NJ72721192 | 25-Jul-02 | 1 | 22-Oct-02 | 35
NJ12286801 | 11-Jul-02 | 11 | 22-Oct-02 | 11
NK10204815 | 21-Oct-02 | 7 | 24-Jul-02 | 0
NJ85701493 | 23-Jul-02 | 27 |
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-32426 by reference.