Scotland's environment
SEPA has a duty to monitor and report on the state of Scotland's
environment and to use that scientific understanding to inform our
independent regulation of activities that may affect its
quality. We publish a wide range of environmental information
and advise Ministers, partner bodies, regulated industry and the
public on environmental issues.
Through our network of four chemistry and seven biology
laboratories, we conduct environmental testing and analysis to the
highest standards of scientific excellence. We have more than 2,500
m2 of lab space, £12m worth of scientific equipment
(excluding our hydrometric network), and a survey vessel with a
fleet of smaller craft and several field vehicles.
Sampling
We employ experts in many fields of science, including
hydrology, chemistry, ecology, algology, ecotoxicology,
hydromorphology, hydrogeology, and oceanography. Our scientists
analyse a wide range of samples collected from across Scotland's
air, land and water environments. We test for more than 500
individual chemical parameters and the levels of 2,000 plants and
animals in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. We also
conduct analyses of solid waste arisings and audit check analyses
of gaseous emissions to the atmosphere.
In a typical year, we collect around 50,000 samples and deliver
700,000 determinations in supporting SEPA's statutory monitoring
(EC directives) and its general duty to assess and report on
the state of Scotland's environment.
Monitoring
SEPA maintains and operates a network of 418 gauging stations
and 515 rain gauges and provides a national flood warning and
forecasting service. This allows us to provide detailed
sustainable flood management and planning advice. SEPA holds
over 30 years of hydrometric data for Scotland's rivers. These
data are invaluable in characterising the long-term pressures on
Scotland's environment, particularly in relation to the assessment
and management of the consequences of climate change.
Our testing, analysis and interpretation covers a wide range of
environments throughout Scotland, including contaminated land,
fresh and saline waters, soils and sediments, sewage and industrial
effluents, leachates, fauna and biota, and landfill gases.
SEPA operates a rigorous formal quality assurance system
for its monitoring and assessment functions and, through this,
delivers environmental measurements with a high level of robustness
and credibility. Our Quality Assurance system is compliant with
international standards ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9001:2000, and ISO
14001, and is monitored and externally audited by UKAS and
SGS. We are accredited for 328 tests and, in some
cases, have the only UKAS-accredited laboratory in the UK.
This section of our website contains our scientific reports and
technical papers and includes more detailed information on our
scientific operations.