The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the Bathing Water in Ireland report for 2021, which states that 78% of Ireland’s bathing sites have excellent water quality, with 97% meeting the minimum standard.
Details
According to the statement published on EPA.ie, the aforementioned data is attributed to an improved management of bathing waters over many years, combined with investments in the treatment of urban waste water.
The statement published on EPA.ie noted, however, that while bathing-water quality has continued to improve overall, there are still issues that need to be addressed to protect and further improve it, with agriculture, urban waste water, and fouling from dogs on beaches still impacting the quality of bathing water. Heavy rainfall can also have a quick impact by washing pollution into bathing water. Swimmers should check Beaches.ie for the latest water quality information for their local bathing sites, according to the statement published on EPA.ie.
Statement By The Director Of The EPA’s Office Of Evidence And Assessment
The statement published on EPA.ie included one from the director of its Office of Evidence and Assessment, Dr Eimear Cotter, wherein she said, “Bathing-water quality in Ireland is high, and last year saw further improvements, compared with 2020. This is good news as we approach the summer, when we can enjoy our local beaches and bathing areas, which are an important natural amenity for health and well-being.
“The EPA recognises that swimming is increasingly becoming a year-round activity and encourages the provision of information that will help winter swimmers to make informed choices to protect their health. The findings and outcome of the multi-stakeholder National Bathing Water Expert Group, due later this year, will provide important information in this regard and help identify potential options to better protect bathers who swim year round.”
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