Latest news with #BathingWaterDirective
RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- Health
- 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
- Health
- 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
14-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Tipperary residents invited to have say on local swimming spots
Tipperary County Council are looking for the opinions from people across the county as part of a public consultation under the Bathing Water Directive and Bathing Water Quality Regulations of 2009. 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 The consultation is open until September 26.
Medscape
28-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Are Europe's Open Waters Safe for Swimming?
Laura Reineke is an avid open water swimmer. Her passion has taken her from crossing the English Channel to circumnavigating Manhattan Island. But the hobby has also made her feel poorly on several occasions. 'They're always severe. They always take you by surprise. Joint pain, full body aches, diarrhea, vomiting,' recalled Reineke, who has founded Henley Mermaids, a grassroots campaign against sewage pollution, and Friends of the Thames, a charity organization that aims to protect the English river. Laura Reineke As temperatures warm across Europe, many more open water swimming enthusiasts are venturing into rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and seas. While offering significant physical and mental health benefits, the burgeoning pastime increasingly exposed people to waterborne contaminants. But the risks are difficult to quantify. Therese Westrell, PhD, principal expert for Food and Waterborne Diseases at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), told Medscape Medical News , 'We don't really know how big of a problem there is across Europe. There are risks that we know of when there is high contamination.' The Microbial Menace Europe's bathing waters are routinely monitored for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci, which serve as bacterial indicators of fecal contamination, as mandated under the European Union (EU) Bathing Water Directive. The latest figures for the 2023 season show that 85.4% of bathing waters in the EU were classified as 'excellent,' indicating high overall quality. However, a persistent 1.5% of sites, amounting to 321 locations, were still classified as 'poor.' A significant disparity in water quality exists between inland and coastal areas. Inland bathing waters, including rivers and lakes, generally exhibit poorer quality, with 2.4% of inland sites categorized as 'poor' in 2023 compared with 1% of coastal sites. The European Environment Agency wrote to Medscape Medical News in an email that these inland waters 'are more susceptible than coastal areas to short-term pollution caused by heavy rains or droughts.' The primary sources of microbial contamination are human activities and animal waste. Inadequate urban wastewater treatment, agricultural runoff carrying livestock waste, and even direct contamination from waterfowl like mallards can elevate bacterial levels in water. In some big, older cities, such as London and Paris, combined sewer overflows are used as safety release valves to prevent urban flooding during heavy rainfall. However, their frequent activation leads to the direct discharge of enormous volumes of untreated sewage into waterways. In England alone, more than 400,000 such discharges occurred in 2020. Common illnesses associated with microbial contamination include gastrointestinal infections caused by pathogens like Norovirus, E. coli , Giardia , and Cryptosporidium , which give symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Other manifestations include respiratory, dermatologic, ear, nose, and throat infections. A more severe, albeit rarer, bacterial infection is leptospirosis (Weil's disease), which can cause significant liver and kidney deterioration. Quantifying the exact extent of these problems across Europe remains challenging due to the complexities of attributing specific transmission modes to surveillance data. 'The information we have on which cases come from swimming and which are from food is not really there,' Westrell said. Therese Westrell, PhD However, specific microbes are closely monitored. Vibrio species, for instance, are naturally occurring bacteria in coastal waters that thrive in elevated temperatures and brackish water. Ingestion can cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms, but wound infections are more concerning. 'If you get it through a wound, you can get a very severe infection. You can also get the blood infection, which could be fatal,' Westrell explained. The Baltic Sea has been a hot spot for these bacteria, with a significant increase in reported cases from several countries during the 2018 heatwave, Westrell said. With global temperatures rising, Vibrio species are expanding beyond the Baltic area, and the ECDC is actively increasing its surveillance on the microbe. European Member States report on the occurrence and management of local infectious disease outbreaks linked to water swimming, but comprehensive pan-European data is fragmented and not routinely collected in all waters. Chemical Contaminants European waters also contain a 'cocktail of chemicals,' said Helena Rapp Wright, PhD, a research associate at Imperial College London, London, England. These compounds originate from many sources, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, industrial discharges, agricultural pesticides, and vehicle emissions. Most wastewater treatment plants remove pathogens but are not designed to remove these chemicals. Consequently, many of these substances pass through treatment processes and are discharged directly into rivers and other water bodies. While their concentration is generally low in large bodies of water, the continuous input means they are persistently present. Rapp Wright and her colleagues have found 'loads of chemicals' in English and Irish waters. While many pose no risk at current concentrations, some compounds are 'quite toxic,' she said. Particularly concerning are pesticides detected at high-risk levels, such as imidacloprid, which was banned in 2018 but is still used for pet flea treatments, and antibiotics due to their potential contribution to antimicrobial resistance, she explained. But for swimmers like Reineke, who trains at least 1 hour in the Thames 6 days a week, the primary health concern related to chemical contaminants is often long-term exposure and the potential of developing chronic conditions, rather than immediate acute effects, which are more commonly associated with microbial pathogens. What General Practitioners (GPs) Should Be Aware of and Do To reap the health benefits of open water swimming while minimizing the possible hazards associated with exposure to pathogens and pollutants, GPs can help their patients practice this sport in the safest way: Understand risk profiles: While many coastal bathing areas are designated and monitored, rivers and inland lakes often lack this official status, implying a higher inherent health risk for swimmers in these less-regulated environments. While many coastal bathing areas are designated and monitored, rivers and inland lakes often lack this official status, implying a higher inherent health risk for swimmers in these less-regulated environments. Advise on avoidance: It is important to advise patients to avoid open water swimming during and immediately after periods of heavy rainfall, especially if these follow dry spells. Such conditions significantly increase the likelihood of combined sewer overflows discharging untreated sewage directly into waterways. It is important to advise patients to avoid open water swimming during and immediately after periods of heavy rainfall, especially if these follow dry spells. Such conditions significantly increase the likelihood of combined sewer overflows discharging untreated sewage directly into waterways. Encourage informed decisions: Encourage patients to utilize readily available public resources before swimming. These include official online bathing water profiles provided by environmental agencies, such as the Environment Agency's Swimfo in the United Kingdom, and local real-time pollution maps, such as Wild Swim Map, which visually indicate safe (green) vs recently polluted (red) areas. Encourage patients to utilize readily available public resources before swimming. These include official online bathing water profiles provided by environmental agencies, such as the Environment Agency's Swimfo in the United Kingdom, and local real-time pollution maps, such as Wild Swim Map, which visually indicate safe (green) vs recently polluted (red) areas. Clinical suspicion: When patients present with unexplained gastrointestinal issues, skin rashes, respiratory symptoms, or ear, nose, and throat infections, GPs should always inquire about recent open water swimming exposure in their history taking. For severe wound infections, particularly after swimming in warmer brackish waters, consider Vibrio as a potential pathogen. Ultimately, Rapp Wright said that the goal is not to deter enthusiasts from the therapeutic joys of open water bathing and swimming. 'We don't want people to stop [swimming], we want to make sure that they do it safely.' As for Reineke, the potential of falling ill has not stopped her from dipping into the water. 'I want to do Oceans Seven and become the first British female to do that.' Medscape Medical News reached out to the European Commission spokesperson responsible for health, but they declined an interview. Reineke, Westrell, and Rapp Wright disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sussex beaches awarded 'brown flags' for dirty water
Two Sussex beaches have been awarded 'brown flag awards' due to poor water quality. Aldwick beach in Bognor and a section of Worthing beach, behind Splashpoint Leisure Centre, were given a poor water quality rating by the Environment Agency (EA) last year. UK travel site Holiday Park Guru is now offering the two beaches, as well as the 17 others designated as having the poorest water quality, a free brown flag with a poo emoji to display. The beaches are rated poor due to bacteria such as e-coli from sewage and other waste being detected in water samples. A spokesman for Holiday Park Guru said: 'Worthing is classed as a 'newcomer' (or should that be 'poocomer'?) because it has won a brown flag award for the first time. 'An area known by the Environment Agency as 'Worthing Beach House' towards the east of the beach was added to the EA's list of designated bathing spots for 2024 and has been given a 'poor' rating. 'Two other water quality testing locations known as 'Worthing' and 'Goring Beach' both scored one star and so narrowly missed out on winning brown flag awards. The section of beach in Worthing (Image: Google) Campaigner and sea-swimmer Robbie Lane for Holiday Park Guru said: 'We had hoped that we'd be handing out fewer brown flags this year – but things have gone down the pan. 'For Sussex, the bad news is that it's picked up two brown flag awards, whereas last year it won just one. 'The good news is that almost half of the beaches in Sussex are rated as 'excellent' for their water quality in summer. 'Do your research this summer and you'll be saying 'wish you were here' rather than 'wish I'd worn a hazmat suit'.' A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: 'We are disappointed by last year's water quality classifications. 'Last year was the first time the Environment Agency gathered water quality data at Beach House and Goring Beach, which was a result of the fantastic efforts by residents to help obtain the two new bathing designations needed to test the water at these locations. Aldwick beach in Bognor (Image: Jeff Gogarty/Wikimedia Commons) 'The poor classification at Beach House has validated the much-needed designation and subsequent testing, but we don't believe that the seawater at Beach House has dramatically worsened in recent years. 'The additional data, despite being disappointing, is helping identify and fix sources of pollution that will improve seawater quality along our coastline. "One source of pollution at Beach House has already been identified and halted as a result of the collaboration between the Environment Agency, Southern Water and council teams. 'As a result of last year's testing, we now know just how much work needs to be done at Beach House and across our coastline to get Worthing's seawater to a good standard. 'The 2006 Bathing Water Directive means that any 'poor' rated bathing waters are obliged to display a 'do not swim' warning, which helps residents and visitors make informed decisions about swimming in the area. The beach will remain open and accessible as normal. One of the brown flags (Image: Holiday Park Guru) 'We are working with Southern Water, which has developed and are actioning improvement plans in each catchment area, and with the Environment Agency to continue testing water quality and address potential sources of pollution. "We remain committed to improving coastal water quality and ensuring everyone can enjoy cleaner seas along our coastline.' A spokeswoman for Arun District Council said: 'Whilst the 'poor' classification for Bognor Regis (Aldwick) has been retained, and that is of course disappointing, it is not surprising due to the way in which bathing water classifications are determined. READ MORE: Huge wildlife haven is being created in national park 'Each bathing water area is classified as Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor based on the previous four years of samples. 'Southern Water, the Environment Agency and Arun District Council have been working closely through a technical steering group and a partnership group to identify sources of contamination and resolve them. 'This collaborative approach is important to tackle possible sources of pollution to the bathing water wherever they are discovered. 'As well as this forum, the Yellow Fish campaign has now been introduced to this area to highlight the impact of what is put down the drains has on the bathing water quality. 'We can confirm that given recent sample testing, the quality of the water is moving in the right direction but this won't be seen in the classifications yet due to how the accumulative testing works.'
