Water quality found to be ‘excellent’ at five bathing spots
WATER QUALITY AT 5 POPULAR BATHING AREAS GETS TOP RATING IN NEW REPORT, BUT CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT WICKLOW HARBOUR
WATER quality at five of Wicklow’s bathing areas was classed as ‘excellent’ in 2019, according to a new report.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its assessment of the water quality at Ireland’s beaches during the summer of 2019. The report is based on samples of water taken at the bathing spots by local authorities between June 1 and September 15, 2019. The EPA’s analysis also looks at the last four years of data on water quality at the bathing sites.
Water quality at Bray South Promenade, the North and South Beaches at Brittas Bay, Greystones South Beach and Clogga Strand were all rated as ‘excellent’ for the fourth year in a row. This is the highest and cleanest classification of bathing water quality. However, Silver Strand was graded as ‘good’ after it was rated as ‘excellent’ in 2018.
On Wednesday last, swimmers were warned to avoid Bray South Promenade after a high level of bacteria which may cause illness was detected in the water. The ‘Do not swim’ order was lifted later in the week.
The agency said overall bathing water quality improved across the country in 2019, but it urged local authorities to continue to work to make improvements.
The regulator also examined other places where people swim, which are not classed as bathing waters, but water quality is monitored by local authorities as a public health measure. These may be smaller or more remote beaches which are not popular bathing spots. In the Garden County, Arklow South Beach, Kilcoole, the Murrough, and South of Bray Harbour were all classed as high quality. However, Wicklow Harbour Bathing Area was rated as below the minimum standard.
The EPA said local authorities must work hard to increase the number of bathing waters classed as good or excellent. The agency also highlighted the urban wastewater remains the most common source of pollution for bathing waters. The agency also said users of beaches must do their part by bringing their rubbish home, disposing of dog fouling appropriately and reporting any instances of pollution.
Social Democrats Deputy Jennifer Whitmore welcomed the report.
‘Whilst Wicklow has done very well, Other counties are experiencing the consequences of persistently poor water quality levels, for example Merrion Strand in Dublin where a swimming ban will be in place as it failed to pass its fifth water quality test in a row. This reveals the importance not just of water quality but the overall consistency of water quality across the board and so it is important that Wicklow continues to monitor and maintain its beaches. I would like to recognise the efforts of the Council, who work hard year in, year out to make sure our waters are kept to such a high quality. ‘Quality water is not only beneficial to the local community for water activities. If you can imagine, if the water is good enough for us to swim in it must be good for our marine life. As Social Democrats Spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity I want to see enhances protections for marine life as well as greater protections for their marine environment and this includes addressing ongoing water quality issues. Our rivers, lakes and waterways continue to suffer and will need stringent measures in place to address the quality of these waters if we are going to preserve and protect them not just as amenities for us to enjoy but as important areas for our biodiversity.’
Meanwhile Fianna Fail TD Stephen Donnelly said he was concerned by the poor water quality at Wicklow Harbour
‘During the summer months the harbour is a place where local children rightly love to swim which is why it is absolutely vital that the water quality needs to be of the highest standards.
‘A major focus of the new Government will have to be to work on making sure all of our bathing waters are fit for purpose.
‘I will be working closely with both Wicklow County Council, Irish Water and the EPA to do everything we can to improve the water quality in the harbour,’ Deputy Donnelly said.