Whether it will give an update on its review of the water environment to meet the requirements of the urban waste water treatment regulatio…

The Scottish Executive has decided to retain all previously designated (14) sensitive areas, and additionally has designated nine rivers and one stretch of marine water. These have been identified as sensitive areas in accordance with the terms of the Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994. The additional sensitive areas have been identified because of eutrophication, or in order to meet the requirements of the Surface Waters (Fishlife) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1997, or in order to meet the requirements of the Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1997. In all cases, the consequences of the designations are that Scottish Water has to provide treatment in addition to the standard secondary biological treatment for significant sewage discharges into the catchments of these waters.For discharges into the River Don, additional phosphorus treatment is being provided at the Persley treatment works; for the other listed rivers discharges are being treated to reduce ammonia levels to protect freshwater fishlife. In the case of the coastal water from St Andrews round to Fife Ness, additional disinfection treatment has been put into place at the St Andrews discharge to protect the quality of the shellfish water. In all cases the additional treatment provides further protection to these designated waters, resulting in environmental benefits, and to allow the waters to meet relevant environmental quality standards.The River Don has been designated sensitive to combat eutrophication. River Isla, Teviot Water (lower), River Ettrick, River Tyne, River North Esk, South Calder Water, River Clyde (lower) and Black Cart Water have all been designated sensitive to protect fresh water for fish. St Andrews to Fife Ness has been designated to protect shellfish water.I am placing copies of maps, showing the location of these designated sensitive areas, in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 26935). Copies will also be deposited with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for public inspection. My officials are sending a letter to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency requiring them to ensure, under their statutory powers, that compliance with discharge consent conditions which include tertiary treatment standards are met for discharge to an into the catchments of these sensitive areas. Additionally, my officials will publish a notice of the additional sensitive designations in the Edinburgh Gazette.