Businesses saying quality of bathing water must improve
OUTSIDE Eithna’s by the Sea restaurant at lunchtime last Thursday customers are scouting for an outdoor seat.
The sun beams down as boats from the local sailing club pepper Mullaghmore Bay.
It’s the kind of day one would love to get in the ocean for a dip but the public has been advised not to due for health and safety reasons.
Tests have found elevated traces of faeces in the water which could cause illness. This swimming ban because of poor water quality is an on-going issue according to the cafe proprietor Eithna O’Sullivan. Her award winning eatery has been in business in the fishing harbour village for 28 years now.
She says: “It does effect business as people do not come into the area. The whole of the Donegal Bay area needs attention and treatment. This is an enclosed bay and is more susceptible. ”
Eithna says she is disappointed that Mullaghmore lost its blue flag: “When people google Mullaghmore beach and harbour they will see it has no blue flag. A blue flag would be great for marketing purposes. Any bad message about Mullaghmore is not a good thing.”
The restaurateur stresses that becoming a destination point on the Wild Atlantic Way has done wonders for Mullaghmore but it is all the more reason for the water quality issue to be resolved once and for all.
Local woman Lisa Lomax is walking her dogs along the beach. Based in Ballintrillick, Lisa says: “The swimming ban happens almost every year. The whole water treatment system here has to be looked at.”
She adds: “There is also the cattle. They walk on the sand. We have to keep our dogs on leads yet the cows are allowed to roam freely.
“The swimming ban happened a few weeks ago and was in place for a couple of days and then lifted. It is such a shame as it is idyllic for children as the water is so shallow.”
Reacting to the news Independent Sligo County Councillor Marie Casserly admits there has also been issues with the sewage holding tank in the village.
She explains: There is a sewage holding tank in the village of Mullaghmore that needs to be emptied and inspected. I have received an update from the local water department and they have confirmed that works have been carried out and completed on the Tank. There should be no more sewage leaking into the sea.”
She said it’s expected that a new treatment plant for the village will be included in ‘a bundle of works in conjunction with Donegal County Council in a few years.’ As for the issue of cattle on the beach, Councillor Casserly says: “The council’s hands are tied.”