Lower Largo FAQs

Lower Largo Bathing Water was designated in 2022. Water quality in the area is measured against Intestinal Enterococci (IE) and Escherichia Coli (E-coli). Historic results show poor classifications for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Studies have identified the Waste Water Treatment Works as the main contributor to poor sample results. The treatment works near Lower Largo bathing water provide primary treatment and were not originally designed to meet bathing water standards.

Following approval of planning permission for the installation of the secondary treatment plant located on land adjacent to the existing wastewater treatment works last month, we have now reached agreement to access the site and begin work to start installing this multi-million pound upgrade for the benefit of the community. 

The first phase of delivery, which involves building an access road off the existing A915, will begin on Monday 9 March 2026. 

This project has tight timescales and in order to get started on site as soon as possible, preparatory works will begin in mid-February. Our teams will work with residents to mitigate any disruption as much as we can.

The nearest residential properties are approximately 140-143m from the site. The MBBR blowers, which aerate the system through the aeration pipework, operate at 74db but are housed within the kiosk at the end of the MBBR, which will contain the sound. If the blowers were positioned outside at 74db, the noise level at 143m would reduce to approximately 30.9db, and, in practice, the enclosure will further reduce this. 

For context, 30-45db is comparable to quiet background noise such as rainfall or a dishwasher. These figures are conservative as they do not take into account further noise reduction from fencing, vegetation, or buildings. Double glazing, typically provides an additional 26-33db reduction, meaning that noise levels inside residential properties would be significantly lower again.

On this basis, we are confident that noise emissions from both the blowers and the generators will be minimal, well within acceptable levels, and should not cause disturbance to nearby residents.

Because the biological treatment process at Lower Largo will be aerobic this means it has minimal foul odours therefore shouldn't be an issue/noticeable to local residents. 

Whether a solution is sited at the existing works or at an off-site location, generator/s would be required in the short term as there is no power currently installed at site or off-site. Our intention would be to install power should this be confirmed feasible by the electricity provider and approved via planning application. Designing/approving and installing new power can take a significant period of time so in order to implement a solution as fast as possible, generator/s would be required.

Scottish Water submitted two planning applications to Fife Council in support of our work to improve the Bathing Water quality in Lower Largo Bay in 2025. The first application, approved by the local authority in October 2025 (Fife Council ref: 25/01396/FULL), was to install equipment at the existing Wastewater Treatment Works. This application was initially written in support of our plans to implement chemical dosing at the site; however, we are not proceeding with the chemical dosing option. The application was submitted as we will require to use elements of this application to support our work to deliver the new treatment solution in the location adjacent to the WWTW. A second application in support of installation of the new treatment solution (25/02526/FULL) was approved on 3 October.

Bathing waters are designated based on sample data for the current year plus previous 3 years. It is a four-year rolling period. Lower Largo may lose its designation if it remains Poor following both the 2025 and 2026 bathing seasons. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to deliver improvements to ensure the community's bathing water remains designated.

A comprehensive Bathing Water study was conducted, involving site investigation, network hydraulic model update, marine environment investigation and modelling, hydraulic modelling, and water quality calibration. Bathing water samples were taken from June to September 2024 at various beach locations.

We are committed to maintaining clear and open communication with the community. We held a drop-in public information event at the Durham Hall in November 2025 where members of the project team were available to explain more about the work involved and to take on board any concerns or questions from the community. View the information boards which were on display at this event here: 041125-Lower-Largo-Information-Event-posters.pdf