CEP holds conversations about bathing water quality in Scotland

CEP meets with local communities and businesses across Scotland to discuss the value of bathing water quality

As part of a research project for the Scottish Government to provide a detailed and quantifiable socio-economic understanding of the value of Scottish bathing waters and the influence of quality to bathers, beach users and to the national and local economies, CEP has recently run a series of focus groups in Scottish coastal communities, which investigate the benefits and impact of bathing water quality on local people and businesses. The focus groups were held at Gullane and Portobello in East Lothian, Troon and Ayr in South Ayrshire, and Nairn in the Highlands. The focus groups covered the impression, uses, and value of local beaches, including public perception of water quality and beach information. The results of each discussion will be used to inform the research findings to be reported to the Scottish Government on the value of bathing water quality for local communities.

The focus groups are being run by CEP’s Paula Orr and Izzy Cotton.

CEP and partners to study the value of bathing waters in Scotland

CEP and partners commissioned by the Scottish Government to study the value of bathing waters in Scotland

CEP, with partners Economics for the Environment Consultancy (eftec) and experts from The South West Research Company (SWRC), University of St Andrews, University of Surrey and Mercatus Research, has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to study The Value of Bathing Waters and the Influence of Bathing Water Quality in Scotland.

CEP will be leading a multi-disciplinary team in developing a detailed and quantifiable socio-economic understanding of the current and future value of bathing water quality to Scotland and how water quality influences bathers, beach users and the national and local economies.

This study will provide the Scottish Government with key information on existing designated bathing waters and benchmark values to support decision-making relevant to the cost/benefit of driving further improvement to bathing water quality classifications under the revised Bathing Water Directive (BWD).

The socio-economic values explored will consider the wider aspects of Scotland’s reputational value for environmental excellence, and include less tangible values relating to health and wellbeing (e.g. benefit of being near blue spaces). These validated reference values will be used in policy development and decisions when assessing new sites and managing existing protected area designation (including de-designation).

CEP's Dr Peter Phillips is the project manager.