The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has found that tests taken on three separate occasions in July and June had too many faecal coliforms — microbiological organisms linked with the gut of humans and other animals.

Their presence indicates water which may have come into contact with sewage not given adequate treatment, or agricultural run-off caused by heavy rain.

However the council today announced they are powerless to prevent the decline in water quality during torrential downpours, despite the “hard work” of the Broughty Ferry community to uphold the standards of their beach.

Although all 10 samples taken from the popular bathing spot have met the European Union mandatory standard — the three poor samples have failed to meet the higher guideline criteria used by Keep Scotland Beautiful when considering Blue Flag status, which the beach may lose next year.

To obtain a guideline pass for the entire bathing season, no more than four such failures out of a total 20 tests are allowed.

Programme manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful Donna Niven said Blue Flag status depended on a “whole range of factors”.

She said, “It is not cut and dried. It depends on how the levels have fallen and what has brought about the findings.

“SEPA can sanction a wet weather waver and at this stage we don’t know if Broughty Ferry’s status will change.

“Broughty Ferry is a safe, clean beach so, if the sun shines, we urge everyone to get down and have a fine day out.”