Update 17th July 2026 - Advice against bathing at Ardrossan/Saltcoats
Date published: 17 July 2026
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is continuing to advise against paddling or bathing at Ardrossan/Saltcoats.
Earlier this month, Scottish Water informed SEPA of a structural failure of the nearby sewage pipeline, near to Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station.
To facilitate repair works, an emergency, screened discharge to the sea at Stevenston was necessary and this remains ongoing.
As a precaution, SEPA’s bathing water signage at Ardrossan/Saltcoats continues to advise against bathing. SEPA will continue to carry out water quality testing at the bathing water.
A spokesperson for SEPA said:
“Local officers have completed visual checks of Ardrossan/Saltcoats beach, additional water sampling has been undertaken with further water samples to be taken over the coming days.
“SEPA’s bathing water signage will continue to reflect the temporary guidance against paddling or bathing until SEPA is satisfied there is no risk from this incident.
“SEPA officers will continue to monitor the situation.”
SEPA is working closely with Scottish Water, North Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire and Arran and will continue to work together to monitor the situation.
A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “We appreciate that North Ayrshire’s beaches are a big attraction during spells of nice weather, and temperatures have been high recently.
“However, we would encourage residents and visitors who are enjoying the beaches at Ardrossan and Saltcoats to resist the temptation to cool off in the water while SEPA’s guidance is in place for people not to enter the water.
“We will continue to give updates on the situation, in partnership with SEPA, via our social media channels. In the meantime, please enjoy both beaches safely and bear the guidance in mind.
“Unlike Ardrossan and Saltcoats, nearby Stevenston Beach is not classed as a designated bathing water by SEPA, which means its water quality isn’t monitored in the same way. If you are visiting Stevenston Beach, please exercise caution.”
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “Our teams are making significant progress, and we hope to be able to complete patching the damaged section of sewer over the coming weekend.
“We are continuing to liaise closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and carrying out beach walks while we complete this repair.
“We are grateful for the patience and understanding of everyone impacted while our teams carry out these essential repairs.”
Notes to Editors
- Find more information about Scotland’s bathing waters, including the latest water quality results, predictions, and bathing water profiles on our website.
Afternoon of 3rd July 2026
Due to the potential impact on water quality SEPA’s bathing water signage at has been updated to advise against bathing.
A spokesperson for SEPA said:
“SEPA has been informed by Scottish Water of another pollution incident potentially affecting Saltcoats bathing water caused by a fault in a nearby rising main pipeline downstream of the previous burst near Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station.
“Scottish Water are on site at this location to carry out repairs to the sewer network and need to make an emergency, temporary discharge of screened sewage to the sea at Stevenston.
“SEPA officers will carry out water quality testing at the bathing water, inspections of the beaches and continue to be in contact Scottish Water and North Ayrshire Council to monitor the situation closely.
“Signage at Saltcoats has been updated to advise against paddling or bathing and will continue to reflect this guidance until we are satisfied there is no risk.”
Morning of 3rd July 2026
Precautionary advice against bathing or paddling has now been lifted. The advice had been in place since Monday 29th June to allow for investigations into a pollution incident by a fault in a nearby rising main pipeline near Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station.
A spokesperson for SEPA said:
“SEPA was informed by Scottish Water of a pollution incident potentially affecting Saltcoats bathing water on Monday 29th June.
“We issued precautionary advice against bathing or paddling as well as carrying out water sampling, as repairs were carried out. Scottish Water has confirmed these repairs are now complete.
“Following visual checks of the beach and water sampling by SEPA officers, we have confirmed there is no current impact on water quality at Saltcoats/Ardrossan bathing water. Signage will be removed and our website will return to making water quality predictions based on weather.”
29th June 2026
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are investigating a pollution incident near to Saltcoats bathing water caused by a fault in a pipe.
Due to the potential impact on water quality SEPA’s bathing water signage at has been updated to advise against bathing.
A spokesperson for SEPA said:
“SEPA has been informed by Scottish Water of an ongoing pollution incident potentially affecting Saltcoats bathing water caused by a fault in a nearby rising main pipeline near Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station.
“Scottish Water has been on site at this location from Monday 29th June carrying out repairs to the sewer network and need to make an emergency, temporary discharge of screened sewage to the sea at Stevenston.
“SEPA officers will carry out water quality testing at the site, inspections of the beaches and continue to be in contact Scottish Water and North Ayrshire Council to monitor the situation closely.
“Signage at Saltcoats was updated to advise against paddling or bathing and will continue to reflect this guidance until we are satisfied there is no risk.”