Broughty Ferry beach is one of five in Scotland to lose the coveted Blue Flag rating for seaside quality.
Heavy rains, which cause a ‘surface run-off’, have decreased water quality and were blamed for the loss of the award this year.
The beach had lost the Blue Flag previously but managed to regain the prize last year.
Council leader Ken Guild, who represents Broughty Ferry, said: “There is obviously a feeling of frustration when this happens. There’s been a period of heavy rainfall and surface run-off that affects the quality of the water, which is beyond the council’s control.”
Mr Guild added that he was confident that the beach would regain Blue Flag status soon.
There was a debate about whether or not the beach should be put forward for the award this year, given the difficulties with water quality.
In December last year Dundee Council environment director Ken Laing said: “We have been invited to apply, but we have to look at whether we should.
“We’ve had difficulties this year due to water quality issues that are out of our control.”
Councillors on the environment committee had the final say on whether or not the beach should be entered for the award this year.
The four other beaches which lost the award were Kinghorn (Pettycur), Leven, Elie Harbour and Coldingham.
Fife beaches Aberdour Silver Sands, Burntisland and Elie Ruby Bay all retained the award.
However, the Broughty Ferry beach was one of 59 Scottish beaches to be given the Seaside Award status, a prize awarded by the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity.
This prize is based on the quality of litter management, safety procedures and water quality and experts were quick to point out that, despite losing out on the Blue Flag award, the beach remains a top-quality and safe seaside resort.
Broughty Ferry beach has held the Seaside Award consistently since 2004.
Keep Scotland Beautiful chairman Derek Robertson said: “I’m delighted to announce so many Seaside Awards for Scotland, including Broughty Ferry beach.
“We know that beach users, whether they are local or visitors from near or far, want to enjoy clean beaches, with well-maintained facilities and access and our awards flags now fly proudly all across Scotland.”
Doug Mclaren from Friends of the Earth said: “We knew the (Blue Flag) award was going to be lost, it was not disappointing at all. The system and geography make it difficult to reach (the Blue Flag) standard.
“The Foundation of Environment Education, who administers the Blue Flag, is based in Europe and the award is more suited to Mediterranean beaches, where the extensive sunshine tends to naturally kill bacteria and improve water quality.
“The main focus now is to look after this beach as best we can.”
Maintenance of the beach will be a top priority for the council over the coming year as they fight to keep standards high.
Councillor Craig Melville, who is the environment convener on the council, said he was “delighted” that the beach had retained the Seaside Award.