Scottish Executive

WITHDRAWAL OF HIGH NATURAL DISPERSION AREAS (HNDA) STATUS FOR COASTAL WATERS

The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by Regulation 3(3) of the Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994(S.144), have withdrawn the High Natural Dispersion Areas (HNDA) status for the coastal waters at the String, Kirkwall, Lerwick Harbour and the Minch, Stornoway.

The Minister for Environment and Rural Development announced the withdrawal of High Natural Dispersion Area (HNDA) status on 23rd July 2002 in a Scottish Parliament written answer Number S1W-27812. A copy of the written answer is available on the Scottish Parliament website - www.scottish.parliament.uk

An HNDA is a body of water that is less sensitive because it has good water exchange. Under the terms of Article 6 of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), urban waste water that has been treated to a less stringent standard than is the norm may be discharged into an HNDA, provided the criteria are met that show the treated waste water will not adversely affect the environment or adjacent areas. The consequence of the withdrawal of the HNDA status means that Scottish Water will be providing secondary treatment for urban waste water discharges at Stornoway and Lerwick; it has already upgraded the sewage treatment works at Kirkwall from primary level to secondary level treatment. Secondary standard treatment is the normal level for treatment of urban waste water, where domestic and biodegradable industrial waste water is given biological treatment before discharge into the receiving waters.

Since these HNDAs are now withdrawn, the maps held by The Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be withdrawn from public display.

Any queries concerning this notice should be addresses to:

Mrs Angela Paul, The Scottish Executive

Rural Affairs Department, Water Environment, Unit 1-H-9, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

Tel 0131 244 1413 Fax 0131 244 0245

E-mail: angela.paul@scotland.gsi.gov.uk