Support projects and programmes that complement regulation to address emerging or novel contaminants in the water environment, e.g. The One Health Breakthrough Partnership on pharmaceuticals and the water industry’s Chemical Investigation Programme.
Objective 1: Accelerate ecosystem restoration and regeneration
Priority Action 6. Enhance water and air quality. Undertake water management measures to enhance biodiversity
Work is underway through SEPA-led monitoring, research and industry collaboration to better understand and reduce environmental pressures, including through pilot projects and mitigation trials.
Current activity focuses on evidence gathering and testing of interventions rather than deployment of large-scale infrastructure upgrades or fully implemented treatment solutions. These programmes aim to inform future regulatory and operational approaches.
SEPA and industry-led programmes are improving understanding of emerging contaminants, particularly through monitoring innovation and targeted pilot projects. These initiatives help identify risks from substances such as pharmaceuticals and test potential mitigation approaches, contributing to the evidence base needed for future regulatory action. However, activity is still largely at the research and trial stage, with limited evidence of widespread implementation or measurable reductions in contaminant levels in the environment. Scaling successful interventions into standard treatment processes and regulatory requirements could significantly reduce emerging contaminant pressures on freshwater ecosystems and improve long-term water quality.
SEPA unveil new method to detect chemicals in water environment
SEPA – Authorisations and compliance
SEPA – River Basin Management Planning
Ensure contaminants of emerging concern that may impact on biodiversity are identified through existing mechanisms with an additional system in place that uses Scottish data to identify new problems.
Represent Scottish interests in UK chemicals regulation to ensure impacts on wildlife from chemical risks are reduced (eg work towards extending current restrictions on lead in ammunition), and contribute to UK chemicals regulatory reform.
Take an adaptive approach to abstraction and flows management to protect freshwater biodiversity from the impacts of water scarcity in response to future climate change pressures, using the Controlled Activity Regulations and review of abstraction.
Continue to invest in improvements to the wastewater service to improve freshwater biodiversity by upgrading 40 wastewater treatment works and 24 intermittent sewage discharges, as required.
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