Update 28th July 2026 - Advice against bathing at Ardrossan/Saltcoats
Date published: 28 July 2026
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) continue to advise against paddling and bathing at Ardrossan/Saltcoats bathing water while Scottish Water completes work to repair an underground wastewater pipeline near Saltcoats Pumping Station.
Earlier this month, Scottish Water informed SEPA of a structural failure affecting the pipeline. Temporary measures were put in place to allow repair work to be undertaken.
Scottish Water has now advised that those temporary repairs have not provided a sufficiently robust solution and that an overland bypass pipeline will now be installed while permanent repairs are completed.
As a precautionary measure, advisory signage remains in place at the beach and SEPA's bathing water website continues to advise against paddling and bathing while the repairs are underway.
SEPA will continue to work closely with Scottish Water, North Ayrshire Council and other partners throughout the response. Enhanced environmental monitoring, including regular bathing water sampling, will continue while the work is carried out.
A spokesperson for SEPA said:
“The bathing water samples collected since the incident have not indicated a deterioration in bathing water quality associated with this incident. However, each sample provides a snapshot at a particular point in time. Our advice remains precautionary while repair work is ongoing so that people have the information they need to make informed decisions about entering the water.
“Many people visit Ardrossan/Saltcoats to walk along the beach, spend time with family and friends, exercise, enjoy the coastline and other seaside activities. Our advice relates specifically to entering the water, and we will continue to keep that advice under review as the work progresses.”
A Scottish Water spokesperson said:
"Following a review of the current condition of the sewer network, Scottish Water has taken the decision to refocus efforts on the installation of a temporary overland pipeline.
"This approach provides greater operational assurance, improves asset security, and helps protect the local environment while work continues on the investment project to upgrade the rising sewer main between our pumping station in Saltcoats and the wastewater treatment works in Stevenston.
"We understand the inconvenience this may cause and thank the local community for its patience and understanding as we undertake these essential works."
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.
“The beaches are not closed and residents and visitors can still enjoy the beaches by walking their dogs, taking a stroll or relaxing on the shore – but please don’t enter the water until further notice.”
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.
17th July update
Updated 23rd July
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.”
Scottish Water update: 23rd July 2026
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.”