An Angus environmental group have said they will not “sit back” and wait for things to improve following a poor beach cleanliness report.
The latest SEPA report graded the bathing water quality at Monifieth as “poor”, following concerns about agricultural run-off entering the water.
Alex Graham, chairman of Monifieth Eco Force, said that he was pleased to hear the beach is officially safe, but is concerned at the “stigma” attached to the rating until next year’s report.
He said: “Reassuring as it is to hear that the water at Monifieth Beach is officially safe, that does not escape from the fact that the 2016 SEPA report has reclassified the water quality as poor, and we in Monifieth will have to live with that stigma presumably until the next annual report.
“The blame has been placed on exceptional heavy rainfall causing run-off from fields and surface drains.
“However, with the effects of global warming disrupting our climate there is every reason to expect these conditions to reoccur in the future.
“The members of Monifieth Eco Force will not be content to just sit back and wait in the hope that things will improve, but will be taking an active interest in the promised investigations and will be looking for actions to be implemented to control pollution of our waterways.”
Elsewhere, the beaches at Carnoustie, Lunan Bay and Montrose were given a “good” water quality score.
Angus Council explained that the area is particularly vulnerable to pollution after heavy rain.
A spokesman for the local authority previously said: “Monifieth’s coastline can be vulnerable to pollutants following periods of heavy rains where water washes from inland into local water courses and to the shore.
“We will continue to work with SEPA and Scottish Water to try to identify the issues that have contributed to this rating and are confident that Monifieth will regain the ‘good’ water quality classification it was previously awarded.”
Councils are only responsible for land up until the water’s edge, the quality of the sea is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.