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NEARLY THREE QUARTERS of Ireland’s bathing waters are of excellent quality, according to a new report, though some urban beaches are failing to make the grade.
The Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2017 report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found 132 of the 142 identified bathing waters (93%) meet strict EU standards. These include both coastal and inland bathing waters used by the public.
Nearly three quarters of bathing waters were classed as ‘excellent’ with 102 beaches and inland waters meeting the standard – the same number as in 2016. However, seven coastal areas failed to meet the minimum standard and are classified as poor.
Five of these are in the Dublin area – Sandymount and Merrion Strands, Loughshinny, Portrane and Rush South. The other two are Ballyloughane in Galway City and Clifden Co Galway.
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The report shows that these waters are all vulnerable to pollution events. Waters in and around Dublin Bay exhibit the greatest pressures from three main pollution sources - sewage discharges, contaminated surface streams and birds and other animals.
The EPA said the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with Irish Water, have plans in place to tackle the main pollution risks at these beaches with a view to improving them to at least ‘sufficient’ quality.
Trá na BhForbacha in Co Galway has improved and moved from ‘poor’ to ‘sufficient’ quality and three other beaches also showed improved performance in 2017.
Andy Fanning, programme manager for the EPA’s office of evidence and assessment, said the report shows urban beaches are under greater pressure than those in rural locations.
“More needs to be done to eliminate the sources of bacterial contamination that are particular to urban locations. The main issues are misconnections to surface water drains and other run off from urban environments, together with sewage discharges,” he said.
“Work is needed by local authorities, Irish Water, businesses and homeowners to ensure that contaminated wastewater is correctly collected and treated before being released into the environment.”
The EPA is asking the public to play a part in improving water quality by:
People are advised to check current water quality information before they head to the beach this summer. Details of any incidents at the country’s main beaches are notified to the public via the @EPABeaches Twitter account.
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No beaches in Clare?
amazing beaches in Sligo yet non listed
@Leitrim303: no need to monitor turquoise crystal waters of Sligeach. Beyond excellent if the chart requires a new dot.
@Leitrim303: it would be great if people stopped being offended about missing beaches from a survey, and more concerned that in 2018 as a nation we are still pumping raw sewage into our sea water.
I was on Laytown Beach on Sunday. A raw sewage pipe was pumping stuff right on to the beach. A call to the council was ignored on Monday. A sign should be erected to warn the public. I don’t know how people there put up with it. Our dog has been sick ever since.
No mention of any beaches in Clare and off the top of my head certain beaches in Waterford aren’t mentioned either. Tramore and Dunmore East. Does anyone know why this is?
@☀David Grogan✈: The Guillamene cove and Netwown cove are in Tramore
Every article I open on journal today gives me an advertisement for a bank!!
@Tony Maguire: I think the ads are based on your own search history. I see adverts for ESB
@Louise Tracey: I think they fixed it, bank advertisement popups that took over whole page, seems fixed now
@Tony Maguire: have ad block installed so no ads to see
@Leitrim303: I just block them on the router, they don’t even get a chance to load on any device.
Did they skip silver strand and salthill in Galway?
This map has more beaches listed: http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/bathing/BathingWater_2017_MainMap.jpg
@Eimear O Driscoll: Much better map! Could thejournal.ie not use this in the article instead?
Well the”aroma” of raw sewage that loomed over Irishtown on Monday evening for hours was horrendous. Anyone that wants to buy in that area is mad. It’ll be flooded in raw sewage in years to come.
Louisburgh farmers still ditching fertilisers into the river that leads to the most used waters in the area methinks.
Ballybunion is not rated on the map.
@Lily Martin:
Prosecute the builders who connected the sewers to rain water pipes. They should be jailed. Real Irish. Lazy builders and shoddy work.
Clare has a coastline .!!!Where are the beaches !!!!
Typical Waterford dirt birds
The article states loughshinney is poor yet its not been added to the map
No beaches in Antrim? Derry? Down? Have they ever been to Whitepark Bay or Portstewart? Or Ballycastle?
Quality of picture seems poor. I’m I the only one that can read it
@powerfix: Welcome to ‘digital Ireland’… tape, glue and dial-up.
Do one now for drinking water
Were is that Brighton of the West …good old Bray While the prom is looking great the poor old beach itself is a mess .
In fairness if you look at that big backwards teddy bear. Those beaches are right under his tail in the exact spot his arse is so I’d expect them to be shitty
Where’s Brittas bay, silver strand, courtown?
The water is Baltic anyway
Galway, Salthill and Silverstrand? No mention at all….
have your say