Tipperary residents invited to have say on local swimming spots
The local authority would like to hear from people about the areas that they use for swimming or other water-based activities in so that they can carry out testing on the water quality and identify if it is safe and suitable for people to use.
The Bathing Water Directive requires that water quality at all identified bathing waters meets stringent microbiological standards in order to protect the health of people who choose to bathe there, Tipperary County Council have said.
The consultation process allows Tipperary residents to comment on existing identified bathing waters with a view to continuation of classification, and to comment on bathing waters that are not currently classified, but that may be in the future.
Anyone who wishes to have their say can sent their submission to paula.odwyer@tipperarycoco.ie.
The consultation is open until September 26.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- RTÉ News
All you need to know about bathing water quality at Irish beaches
Analysis: The bathing water quality at your local swimming spot is an important factor in ensuring a safe experience on these hot days A 2024 report by Sports Ireland identifies swimming as the most popular sports activity in Ireland after personal exercise. As we approach peak summer season and hope for warm weather, thousands of Irish people will be visiting local beaches and inland swimming places for a refreshing dip. While water safety is of paramount importance, the bathing water quality at your local swimming spot is also an important factor for a safe swimming experience. Last year, a report from the European Commission indicated that the share of Irish beaches with "excellent" water quality (77%) remains below the EU average (85%). The report highlights how poor water quality undermines the trust of citizens, while it also has a measurable economic impact on tourism revenue and lost working days due to sickness. Europeans spend more than €800 billion a year on recreational visits to water bodies, but perceived poor water quality costs €100 billion a year in lost visits, according to a 2021 study. The European Commission has estimated that the direct benefits related to the protection of human health since the introduction of the EU's 2006 Bathing Water Directive to monitor bathing water quality equates to €1.65 billion per year. So what is being done to ensure that we can enjoy our outdoor summer swims in clean waters? The bathing water directive means every EU country must monitor bathing water quality at designated bathing water locations—around 22,000 bathing sites in all—during the bathing season, which in Ireland takes place officially between the June 1st and September 15th every year. From RTÉ Radio 1's News at One, Ian Diamond from An Taisce discusses the record 89 Irish beaches and 10 marinas that have been awarded a Blue Flag for 2025 Each country needs to take at least four water samples per year from each site over the course of four years to be awarded classification as poor, sufficient (the minimum acceptable standard), good or excellent. If a bathing water is classified as poor, it is closed for a full bathing season and a management plan has to be put into place to achieve at least a sufficient standard. This has been the case with Sandymount Strand in Dublin, which is now closed for bathing for the full bathing season after testing poor between 2021 and 2024. The EU Bathing Water Directive also includes specific guidelines for dealing with short-term bathing water pollution issues. These guidelines are put into place for events such as the recent temporary swimming ban at Dollymount Strand last month due to sewage discharge from stormwater overflow caused by heavy rainfall. Some local authorities in Ireland are already monitoring water quality off-season and doing more regular testing during the bathing season. This is particularly important as water activities have increased in frequency and take place both inside and outside the bathing season. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland. Dr Eimear Cotter from the EPA on the latest results from the testing of bathing water in Ireland The recent cancellation of the annual Blackrock Raft Race in Dundalk due to suspected water pollution illustrates the importance of faster, more frequent and more widespread testing methods and clear communication to bathers on such issues. In this particular case, no water testing took place for the event as Blackrock Beach is not a designated bathing water site. Louth County Council advised the general public to use "officially designated bathing water sites in the area" instead. While neither the EPA nor the Louth County Council are actually responsible for testing the water quality at Blackrock Beach, the local community members are the ones directly affected, as any future action on potential sources of water pollution in their local area depends on the availability and frequency of water testing in the area. From RTÉ Radio 1's News At One in May 2024, Niall Horgan of Irish Water on the plan to improve water quality at five beaches that scored poorly on bathing water Many bathers will not be aware of the current resources available for checking bathing water quality, such as the website ran by the Environmental Protection Agency, which also has a FAQ section with important information. This includes a recommendation that no one should swim in rivers, lakes and seas for 48 hours after any heavy rain and advice on how citizens can make a submission to their local authorities to designate a new bathing area. It also outlines the many ways in which water pollution can be triggered other than by stormwater overflow, including bird and dog fouling, industrial and agricultural discharges and domestic sewage misconnections. While water testing at designated bathing sites and the online access to information via is reassuring, there is still a lag between assessing water quality and providing information to citizens. Water samples need to be collected and assessed in the lab, a process that can take up to 48 hours prior to the issuing of results. The European Commission acknowledges that new technologies such as automated monitoring, sensor technologies, satellite imaging and predictive modelling can provide more efficient monitoring of bathing water quality. The DCU RESTART project aims to achieve this through better communication strategies and technical improvements in water quality analysis to cater to the increase in bathing water activities both during and outside the bathing season. The project is developing rapid testing technologies to provide much faster results while also raising awareness of the importance of checking bathing water quality before swimming in Irish waters and analysing how communication of bathing water quality from government agencies to Irish citizens can be improved. An online survey is providing a snapshot of the current status of awareness of this important topic while investigating how we can improve the dissemination of bathing water quality information. An early sampling of the results with more than 140 participants indicates that: 25% don't know if the areas where they conduct water activities are identified bathing sites (subject to bathing water quality analysis) More than 66% of respondents take part in water activities both within and outside the bathing season. Less than 50% of respondents are aware of as one of the main resources for bathing water quality in Ireland 75% of respondents are unaware that they can identify new bathing water areas and propose them to local authorities (so that they are subject to regular bathing water quality monitoring) 20% of participants have experienced a health issue at least once after conducting water activities By improving communication, awareness and efficiency of bathing water quality monitoring in Ireland, The RESTART project highlights the key importance of water in everyday life, for health, leisure and economical purposes. If you're going to go for a cool dip on these hots summer days, remember to check the water quality of the site you are visiting. And don't forget the sunsceen!
Irish Independent
08-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Environment watchdog says Louth County Council responsible for water testing at Blackrock beach
The council does monitor water quality at beaches that have been classified as 'Designated Bathing' areas, but has come under pressure over recent months following environmental concerns raised about water quality and an overgrowth of algal bloom along the beach at Blackrock. Designated bathing areas are official swimming locations identified by local authorities under the Bathing Water Directive. These areas are monitored for water quality and safety during the designated bathing season, which typically runs from June to September. Blackrock beach is not a designated bathing area, which means that, despite it being one of the most popular beaches in the county, it is not monitored for water quality. However, the EPA has confirmed that while Louth County Council is not 'obliged' to test at a beach which isn't formally designated, the majority of local authorities are testing at undesignated 'popular swimming spots,' for the purpose of 'protecting public health.' Elected representatives and local lobby groups have been calling for testing to be carried out at Blackrock beach. But Louth County Council stated at the June meeting of the council that as it is not a Designated Bathing area, testing is not carried out . Meanwhile public fears over the water quality have continued to grow with the annual Blackrock Raft Race not being held on water. A special meeting was held at the end of June between local councillors and council management. It was agreed that Louth County Council write to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that tests are carried out at Blackrock beach. In the letter to the EPA, the council highlighted the 'growing concern about the current environmental conditions at Blackrock beach as exemplified by the accumulation of seaweed on the beach.' The letter also highlighted 'concerns among the public about potential pollution affecting our local waters,' and called on the EPA to carry out 'comprehensive water testing' at the beach within five days. The Argus has this week contacted the EPA to query if this testing has been conducted and to ask if the agency can take steps to alleviate public concerns. ADVERTISEMENT In a reply, the EPA confirmed that it 'does not carry out water testing at beaches," adding that this is 'a function carried out by Local Authorities.' The EPA further clarified: 'While the beach in question is not a designated bathing water, and therefore Louth County Council are not obliged to monitor it under the regulations, the majority of local authorities with designated bathing waters also conduct monitoring at popular swimming spots that are not formally designated, for the purposes of protecting public health.' "To assist the Local Authorities in carrying out this function, the EPA has developed capacity on our systems for this additional water monitoring information to be uploaded so it can be clearly displayed on This enables the public to make informed decisions about the quality of bathing water at these locations.' The Argus has reached out to Louth County Council to ask if it will, given the statement by the EPA, commence testing at Blackrock beach.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Green light for extension of Tipperary nursing home following Hiqa concerns
Sacre Coeur Nursing Home in Tipperary town had applied to Tipperary County Council for planning permission to build a single-storey extension to the nursing home which would see two bedrooms with en-suites, an accessible shower room and a new communal room built, after Hiqa raised concerns about the lack of communal space in the nursing home on their last inspection. The latest inspection report from May 2024 said that 'the total communal space per resident [was] approximately 2.4m2 per resident, well below the 4m2 as set out in the National Standards'. The inspection, which was a follow up from an earlier inspection in February of the same year, said that a number of new systems were in place at the home, but that challenges still remained. "Nonetheless, the overall premises continued to pose challenges in terms of the availability of communal space and storage space,' the Hiqa inspector noted. "During the previous inspection, it was noted that the small size of the premises had presented challenges, in particular in relation to the availability of communal and dining space for residents. The registered provider had taken steps to address the findings including conducting a comprehensive audit and review of resident access to communal spaces,' the report said. The nursing home provider had implemented a new system so that more residents could access the dining room for meals if they wished to, with two separate sittings now taking place instead of just one. The first sitting was to accommodate residents who needed more assistance with their nutritional intake, while the second was for residents who were more independent, the report noted. Despite the Hiqa inspector's concerns about communal space at Sacre Coeur, the report found that overall 'standard of care delivered in the centre was very good'. Residents at the centre described the staff as 'being worth their weight in gold,' according to the report, and the inspector said that the majority of feedback received from residents was 'very positive'. Tipperary County Council gave the green light for the extension to Sacre Coeur, subject to six conditions. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Schemeno
