The water at Nairn’s beaches will continue to be officially classified as “poor” for bathing for the next year.
However, the authorities insisted the “disappointing” rating was the result of a knock-on impact from a bad year in 2013 and it should not put off visitors.
A stakeholder group was formed in June as part of a long term aim of improving the quality of bathing waters at Nairn.
Calum McPhail, of the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental quality unit, said: “Sepa understands that the local community will be disappointed, as we are, that for a second year, both Nairn Central and Nairn East Bathing Waters are expected to be classified as ‘poor’ under the overall EU classification scheme which uses four years of data.
“It is important to remember that a ‘poor’ classification does not necessarily mean that water quality is continually poor.
“These are still fantastic beaches to visit, and our electronic information signs provide advice and details about any current water quality issues at both of these bathing waters.”
Brian Stewart, of Nairn Residents’ Concern Group, said: “It is disappointing that Nairn’s bathing beach water is expected to be classified ‘poor’ for another year.
“The quality of Nairn’s water and its natural environment are important to local residents and businesses, and to the town’s reputation and prospects as a tourist destination.
“The evidence on the ground, and the discharges into the river underline that the local drainage and sewage network suffers overload and is unable to cope at peak times. We are encouraged that this has been recognised. We cannot simply hope to be lucky with the weather.”