Ayr South Beach is at risk of losing its status as a designated bathing water area.

But The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) say improvement work is under way.

They are collaborating with Scottish Water and South Ayrshire Council on a £10million project to reduce pollution in rivers feeding into Ayr bathing water from agricultural land and sewer networks.

The beach has had a ‘poor’ rating for the past four years and it’s vital it doesn’t end up so again this year, otherwise it would lose its status as a designated bathing water, meaning it would no longer benefit from SEPA water quality sampling.

While the beach would remain open and people could still go into the water, advice against bathing would be displayed.

Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive SEPA, said: “We know that Ayr (South Beach) is subject to a number of complex challenges, and that other local watercourses which feed into it receive bacterial input from a number of sources. That’s why we’re leading efforts to improve local watercourses, including through engagement with the farming community, which is yielding impressive results.”

SEPA say that work has already been undertaken to avoid slurry run off from farms that line the River Ayr, and farmers have been encouraged to move livestock away from water.

They add that they’ve had positive engagement from farmers and land managers in the area - which has resulted in over 90 per cent reaching full compliance by ensuring their practices are not affecting watercourses.

Visits being carried out by SEPA in 2021 are targeted at the handful of farms which are still not fully compliant.

Similarly, Scottish Water plan to install additional waste water storage to reduce the volume of spills with work at Belleisle, Drongan and Mauchline designed to ensure that more waste water can be stored and treated before release after storm conditions.

Cllr Ian Cochrane, Environment Portfolio Holder, said:“I welcome the work undertaken by both SEPA and Scottish Water to improve the water quality at Ayr (South Beach).

“Their efforts are very timely as we look to welcome thousands of people back to our beaches this summer.

“We will continue to support both SEPA and Scottish Water in their work, to ensure all our beaches offer the best experience possible.”