Bathing waters across Scotland were monitored

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said that 95% of Scotland's designated bathing waters met European quality standards.

However, Sepa was "very disappointed" its 100% compliance target was not met.

At two of the three failed sites the cause was a run-off of pollutants from agricultural land. The third could be linked to a nearby sewage works.

Sewage treatment systems

Sepa's 2003 sampling programme said 57 out of 60 "identified" bathing waters had met European quality standards.

The number of waters attaining the higher "guideline" quality standards also increased with more than 60% reaching the target.

In south west Scotland, three waters achieved guideline standards for the first time.

The completion of new sewage collection and treatment systems in the north east helped most waters in that area attain guideline quality.

Sepa said the good results were due to continuing work to improve sewage effluents and reduce "diffuse sources of pollution".

Our goal must be to see all of Scotland's bathing waters meet the mandatory standards Allan Wilson Deputy Environment Minister

It said that the dry summer weather had helped compliance, by limiting problems such as storm sewer overflows and land run-off.

However, the agency admitted there was more to be done.

It said that good sewage treatment was now in place for all major population centres, but wet weather overflows remain a threat in some areas.

Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson said: "The Scottish Executive is committed to working for a cleaner and safer environment.

"These results show this partnership approach to improving bathing water quality is working.

"Our goal must be to see all of Scotland's bathing waters meet the mandatory standards."