One of Fife’s most celebrated beaches has been dealt a blow after being stripped of its Blue Flag status.
For the first time in 15 years, the Silver Sands at Aberdour has failed to meet the highest EU bathing water directive standards and is no longer a Blue Flag beach.
This summer’s torrential rainfall is believed to have caused a deterioration in water quality at the formerly pristine stretch of coast.
Heavy rain can cause sewers to overflow, contaminating bathing water with bacteria from human waste.
This has been identified as a potential source of the pollution by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).
Samples taken from the Silver Sands by Sepa on June 6 and 10 and July 17 only marginally exceeded the acceptable levels for bacteria. However, it was enough to deny the Fife attraction of its Blue Flag status for at least the rest of the season.
It is not the first Fife beach to fall foul of the weather. Leven East beach also had its Blue Flag taken down after failing recent water tests, with heavy rainfall again blamed.
Both were among six Fife beaches presented with the coveted flag, awarded by charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, during a ceremony at the Silver Sands on July 6.
The region has four remaining Blue Flag beaches: Burntisland, Elie Harbour, Elie Woodhaven (Ruby Bay) and Kinghorn Pettycur Bay.
Keep Scotland Beautiful urged the public to keep using the beach at Aberdour as although it has failed the strictest tests, it still boasts a Seaside Award.
Chief executive Derek Robertson 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”While we are all bitterly disappointed the Blue Flag has had to be withdrawn, we are pleased Aberdour Silver Sands will continue to be actively managed and that Seaside Award standards will be maintained.
”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.”
Arthur Lloyd, who chairs Aberdour Community Council, said: ”Obviously we’re very disappointed. We’ve had a Blue Flag every year for a number of years and it’s not been long since it was presented again this year.
”We’re very proud of it and will make inquiries through Fife Council to see what, if anything, can be done to restore it.
”Hopefully it’s a temporary blip and things will go back to normal.”
Mr Lloyd said the beach would continue to attract visitors, despite losing its status.
He added: ”It’s the weather that brings people to the beach. I’m not sure how many people are aware of the Blue Flag status and the fact the Blue Flag has been removed doesn’t mean the beach is not useable.
”I don’t think it will make a huge difference to tourism.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful said it would be working with Sepa and Fife Council to find out what caused the breaches in water quality.
Councillor David Ross, the council’s executive spokesman for housing, communities and local services, said: ”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 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.”