Top Coasts Scotland has a staggering 7,000 km of coast. Most of Scotland's fish farms are located around the coast, either in sea-lochs or in open water. The use of chemicals to control diseases and pests, and the production of wastes can result in the pollution of coastal waters, particularly where the tidal flow of water is limited and water is not exchanged regularly. The disposal of sewage around the coast and at sea also contributes to pollution and can make our beaches unpleasant and unhealthy places to be, although 21 of Scotland's 23 identified bathing waters met the EC Bathing Water Directive mandatory standards in 1996. It will be illegal to dump sludge sewage at sea after 1998.
Oil pollution is another area of concern.
SEPA looks after rivers, lentic waters and coastal waters up to a distance of three miles from land. Together these are known as controlled waters . SEPA is also responsible for a range of other functions in relation to Scotland's water. Amongst these are maintaining the amenity value of our waters and surrounding land, including the impact of litter, providing flood warning systems and conserving water resources. The provision of water supplies is the responsibility of the three new Water Authorities .