Update afternoon of 3rd July 2026 - Advice against bathing at Ardrossan/Saltcoats
Date published: 03 July 2026
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are investigating a further 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 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.”
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.
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.”
Notes to Editors
- Water sampling will continue to take place throughout the bathing season as part of routine testing.
- Find more information about Scotland’s bathing waters, including the latest water quality results, predictions, and bathing water profiles on our website.
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.”