Bathing water profile - Broughty Ferry

Last reviewed: 30 April 2025

Bathing water classification and sample results

Bathing water description

Broughty Ferry bathing water is located to the east of the city of Dundee. It is a 1.5km long sandy beach that slopes gently towards the water. The beach is popular with wildlife enthusiasts and swimmers. Depending on the tide, the approximate distance to the water’s edge can vary from 10–420 metres.

Site details:

Local authority: Dundee City Council
Year of designation: 2006
Water sampling location: NO 46900 30600

Risks to water quality

This bathing water is at risk of short term pollution following heavy rainfall. Bathing is not advised during or 1-2 days after heavy rainfall due to the risk to bathers’ health from water pollution.

Pollution risks include sewer overflows.

Catchment description

The catchment draining into the Broughty Ferry bathing water extends to 1.3km2. It is mainly urban (97%) and encompasses part of the town of Broughty Ferry. There are no major rivers within the catchment. The nearest water course is the Dighty Water which drains the northern fringes of Dundee and does not have a significant impact on water quality.

There are several protected areas in or overlapping the bathing water or the catchment. Some of these areas may influence water quality, particularly the Firth of Tay, Eden Estuary and Monifieth Bay, which are of international importance for their bird populations.

View this Bathing Water on our interactive Map Service

Improving bathing water quality

Sewage

Scottish Water provides most waste water collection and treatment services in Scotland.

Sewage from the Dundee area is treated at Hatton sewage treatment works and is then discharged to the Firth of Tay via long sea outfall.

There is a combined sewer overflows (CSO) outfall to the western edge of the bathing water area. This may discharge and impact the bathing water during heavy rainfall.

Agriculture

There are no impacts from agriculture affecting this bathing water.

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), algae and jellyfish

Marine waters are not at risk of cyanobacteria overproduction. This bathing water is not at risk of excessive growth of macroalgae (seaweed) or phytoplankton.

The possibility of increased jellyfish numbers in the water during summer months is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Most species common to the UK are harmless; the Marine Conservation Society advises to ‘look but don’t touch’.

Pollution incidents

Pollution can be reported via our website online form or by calling our 24 hours a day Pollution Hotline number 0800 80 70 60

If pollution is reported to us, or identified by our routine water quality monitoring program, we will investigate and where necessary work with others to remediate. We may contact other relevant organisations including the local authority, that local health board, Scottish Water and Scottish Ministers.

If there is a risk to human health the local authority is responsible for placing signs at the bathing water. Information will also be available on our website.

Everyone can help to keep the bathing water clean:

If you visit the beach with your dog clear up any fouling
Don’t leave litter or feed birds - this encourages unnatural behaviour, and they can pollute the water
At home, don’t flush wipes or other inappropriate items as these can block pipes and cause sewage spills