Beach plan is submitted

WHILE welcoming water quality improvements at a number of its beaches, Fingal County Council said it has submitted a plan to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlining measures to deal with issues at Portrane beach.  

The annual Bathing Quality 2018 report released by the EPA showed that water quality at four of the 10 Fingal beaches has recorded improvements since last year.

The report confirmed that water quality at Loughshinny has improved from ‘Poor’ in 2018 to ‘Good’ this year, while Rush South Beach has improved from ‘Poor’ in 2018 to ‘Sufficient’ this year. 

Improvements were also recorded at Rush North Beach and Skerries South beach. The former two beaches are now open for swimming this summer.

The Velvet Strand in Portmarnock and the Burrow Beach in Sutton both achieved a status of 'Excellent'. 

Only one beach, The Brook, Portrane, is at ‘Poor’ status. An all season advisory ‘Not to Swim’ notice will be in place at this beach in 2019.

Gilbert Power, Director of Services for Environment and Water Services, said: “While water quality at The Brook, Portrane remains ‘Poor’, Fingal County Council’s plan submitted to the EPA details the short and longer term measures the council will implement to address the potential pollution sources at Portrane. 

“It is worth noting that all samples bar one met the test for ‘Excellent’ status during last year’s bathing season at Portrane.

“We work hard to have the best quality of bathing water for Fingal residents and this report shows we have made significant improvements in this area.”

A ‘Poor’ classification means that the bathing water has not met the minimum standard required under the Bathing Water Regulations. 

Information on the results of water quality sampling undertaken at Fingal beaches is available to view during the bathing season at www.beaches.ie, on Fingal County Council social media platforms, and is posted on noticeboards at the beaches.