Bathing water profile - Crail (Roome Bay)

Last reviewed: 06 May 2025

Bathing water classification and sample results

Bathing water description

Crail (Roome Bay) bathing water is in the small town of Crail. It is about 500 metres long and is a combination of sand and rock. There is a small pool at one end of the beach which is a wildlife haven. Depending on the tide, the distance to the water’s edge can vary from 0–200 metres.

Site details:

Local authority: Fife Council
Year of designation: 1999
Water sampling location: NO 61926 07822

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 Crail (Roome Bay) bathing water catchment extends to 5 km2. The area is mainly rural (93%) with arable agriculture the major land use. The main population centre in the catchment is the town of Crail. Population density outside of the towns is generally low.

The main water course within the bathing water catchment is the Crail Burn, also known as Den Burn. It flows into western end of the bathing water.

Crail bathing water lies within the Firth of Forth Ramsar site, designated for the protection of internationally important 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 Crail is treated at Kilminning sewage treatment works and is then discharged to the Firth of Forth via a long sea outfall.

The combined sewer overflows (CSO) at Crail Harbour and Kirk Wynd operate under storm weather conditions. Scottish Water have sealed up the emergency overflow from Bow Butts pumping station which used to discharge into the Crail/Den Burn.

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