Irish bathing areas generally good despite five test failures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that most Irish bathing areas are good even though five bathing areas in counties Dublin, Galway and Waterford have failed to reach compulsory European Union water quality standards.

Merrion Strand in Dublin city, Sutton Barrow Beach in Fingal, Na Forbacha, Cliftden, Co. Galway and Ardmore in County Waterford were the five which failed to comply with the minimum tests. In all cases, faecal coliforms were found which suggested the presence of human or animal sewage. Twelve other beaches in seven local authorities also failed the more rigid EU guide standards.
The EPA says, though, that most Irish bathing water is of a high standard. This is because most of the water is continuously upgraded.

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche welcomed the EPA’s Bathing Water Quality in Ireland Report 2005. He said the report showed that the quality of bathing water in Ireland was generally excellent.
He added that his department’s water services Investment Programme for 2005-2007 included 549 wastewater projects with a value of Eu2.7 billion.

Minister Roche was disappointed that five of the sites had not managed to reach the EU mandatory standard. He said that they were being connected to local storm water overflows. They are being investigated by Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.