Additional groundwater nitrate monitoring sites for Scotland

1. Seventy additional monitoring sites have been identified in the proposed nitrate vulnerable zones in Scotland. The majority of these sites are boreholes and therefore sample deeper groundwater. 2. Two sampling rounds have been completed for these 70 sites. 3. Nineteen percent of the sites have concentrations greater than 50 mg/l, 46% are greater than 25 mg/l. This represents significant and widespread contamination of groundwater in Eastern Scotland, when compared to the low background values and the drinking water standard of 50 mg/l for nitrate. 4. Nitrate data from the additional sites agree closely with the nitrate data collated as part of the main project for identifying potential nitrate vulnerable zones. Additional analysis shows that nitrate concentrations are highest in coincident zones (high risk, high vulnerability areas). 5. The additional monitoring indicates that part of Morayshire (from Forres to Banff) has high nitrate concentrations (40% exceed 25 mg/l and 30% exceed 50 mg/l). These data are similar to other areas already proposed as NVZs. The data suggest that this area should also be an NVZ. 6. Insufficient data are available for the rest of Morayshire and Easter Ross, the Strathmore sub catchment, Falkirk and West Lothian. Sites for drilling monitoring boreholes have been confirmed in Morayshire, Easter Ross and the Strathmore subcatchment. These new boreholes should be drilled and sampled by September 2002. Sites for monitoring boreholes have been identified in West Lothian should funds become available. 7. The Falkirk catchment is, in general, protected from nitrate contamination by a thick covering of clay. This area may not need to be designated as a nitrate vulnerable zone to protect the groundwater.