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22/11/2023
96% Of NI's Bathing Water Meets Quality Standards
96% of Northern Ireland's bathing waters have met the required standards for water quality, continuing to perform well in 2023 despite it being the wettest July in NI since records began.
Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms.
Eighteen bathing waters are classified as 'Excellent', a prerequisite for the coveted Blue Flag Award and the highest water quality standard, six have met the 'Good' standard, and one the 'Sufficient' standard. Ballyholme bathing water, unfortunately, has failed to meet the minimum standards for a second year in a row.
This year the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), which manages the bathing water programme, also undertook sampling at a number of 'Candidate' bathing waters which had been recommended as bathing sites by the Bathing Water Review conducted by the Department in 2022/2023. This included Northern Ireland's first Inland Bathing Water at Rea's Wood, Antrim.
The seven 'Candidate' bathing waters were also measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms with one classified as 'Excellent', two as 'Good' and the remaining four failing to meet the minimum standards.
A DAERA spokesperson said: "Even though the weather this summer was more unsettled than previous years, it is very encouraging to see so many of Northern Ireland's bathing waters maintaining high standards for water quality. Although there is some reduction in water quality, this is to be expected given the weather conditions, with the wettest July on record.
"The results from the new candidate sites are, however, disappointing. Sample numbers are low at the new sites, with only one season's data, which has the potential to skew results. However, it also shows the vulnerability of all our waters to pollution during heavy rainfall events."
The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, this season was also dominated by the blue-green algae events in Lough Neagh, which impacted the new Rea's Wood site in Antrim and some of our north coast bathing waters. This is the first time that we have seen blue-green algae blooms affecting the quality of some bathing waters and we know this created significant impacts and disappointment for those who love to use our waters.
"Our bathing waters are a huge asset to Northern Ireland, valued by locals and visitors alike. We take our responsibilities for water quality seriously. While there are no quick fixes to the situation that occurred this summer on Lough Neagh, we are working closely with scientific and other experts on proposals that can deliver improvement for the future. In the meantime, we will not hesitate to take action where there is evidence that the laws in place to protect our bathing waters are not being adhered to."
The 2023 bathing season was supported by a pilot bathing water quality prediction app, 'Swim NI', which provided daily forecasts of bathing water quality at six beaches, enabling bathers to make an informed choice.
The project is a collaboration between scientists at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and communications partner Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and is a continuation of work developed under the EU Interreg VA SWIM project.
This app worked well for four of the beaches, but the modelling supporting the forecasts needs further development for two of the beaches and will be refined for next year. DAERA will support ongoing efforts to provide wider prediction tools for bathing water quality."
The 2023 results for the 26 Identified Bathing Waters are:
• Excellent Quality – Ballycastle; Ballygally; Ballyhornan; Brown's Bay; Castlerock; Cloughey; Cranfield; Groomsport; Kilclief; Magilligan Benone; Magilligan Downhill; Murlough (Co Down); Portballintrae Salmon Rock; Portrush Curran (East Strand); Portrush Mill (West Strand); Portrush Whiterocks; Portstewart; Tyrella
• Good Quality – Ballywalter; Crawfordsburn; Carnlough; Helen's Bay; Millisle; Waterfoot
• Sufficient Quality – Newcastle
• Poor Quality – Ballyholme
The 2023 results for the 7 Candidate Bathing Waters are:
• Excellent Quality
Cushendall
• Good Quality – Drain's Bay; Portmuck
• Poor Quality – Brompton; Donaghadee; Rea's Wood; Warrenpoint
Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms.
Eighteen bathing waters are classified as 'Excellent', a prerequisite for the coveted Blue Flag Award and the highest water quality standard, six have met the 'Good' standard, and one the 'Sufficient' standard. Ballyholme bathing water, unfortunately, has failed to meet the minimum standards for a second year in a row.
This year the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), which manages the bathing water programme, also undertook sampling at a number of 'Candidate' bathing waters which had been recommended as bathing sites by the Bathing Water Review conducted by the Department in 2022/2023. This included Northern Ireland's first Inland Bathing Water at Rea's Wood, Antrim.
The seven 'Candidate' bathing waters were also measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms with one classified as 'Excellent', two as 'Good' and the remaining four failing to meet the minimum standards.
A DAERA spokesperson said: "Even though the weather this summer was more unsettled than previous years, it is very encouraging to see so many of Northern Ireland's bathing waters maintaining high standards for water quality. Although there is some reduction in water quality, this is to be expected given the weather conditions, with the wettest July on record.
"The results from the new candidate sites are, however, disappointing. Sample numbers are low at the new sites, with only one season's data, which has the potential to skew results. However, it also shows the vulnerability of all our waters to pollution during heavy rainfall events."
The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, this season was also dominated by the blue-green algae events in Lough Neagh, which impacted the new Rea's Wood site in Antrim and some of our north coast bathing waters. This is the first time that we have seen blue-green algae blooms affecting the quality of some bathing waters and we know this created significant impacts and disappointment for those who love to use our waters.
"Our bathing waters are a huge asset to Northern Ireland, valued by locals and visitors alike. We take our responsibilities for water quality seriously. While there are no quick fixes to the situation that occurred this summer on Lough Neagh, we are working closely with scientific and other experts on proposals that can deliver improvement for the future. In the meantime, we will not hesitate to take action where there is evidence that the laws in place to protect our bathing waters are not being adhered to."
The 2023 bathing season was supported by a pilot bathing water quality prediction app, 'Swim NI', which provided daily forecasts of bathing water quality at six beaches, enabling bathers to make an informed choice.
The project is a collaboration between scientists at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and communications partner Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and is a continuation of work developed under the EU Interreg VA SWIM project.
This app worked well for four of the beaches, but the modelling supporting the forecasts needs further development for two of the beaches and will be refined for next year. DAERA will support ongoing efforts to provide wider prediction tools for bathing water quality."
The 2023 results for the 26 Identified Bathing Waters are:
• Excellent Quality – Ballycastle; Ballygally; Ballyhornan; Brown's Bay; Castlerock; Cloughey; Cranfield; Groomsport; Kilclief; Magilligan Benone; Magilligan Downhill; Murlough (Co Down); Portballintrae Salmon Rock; Portrush Curran (East Strand); Portrush Mill (West Strand); Portrush Whiterocks; Portstewart; Tyrella
• Good Quality – Ballywalter; Crawfordsburn; Carnlough; Helen's Bay; Millisle; Waterfoot
• Sufficient Quality – Newcastle
• Poor Quality – Ballyholme
The 2023 results for the 7 Candidate Bathing Waters are:
• Excellent Quality
Cushendall
• Good Quality – Drain's Bay; Portmuck
• Poor Quality – Brompton; Donaghadee; Rea's Wood; Warrenpoint
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The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
04 November 2010
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The seaside bathing areas in NI are getting better, according to a water quality survey with just two out of 24 sites tested around the coast failing to meet the required European standards.
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The seaside bathing areas in NI are getting better, according to a water quality survey with just two out of 24 sites tested around the coast failing to meet the required European standards.
17 October 2013
NI Beaches Achieve 100% Quality
Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality. The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
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Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality. The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
03 November 2009
NI Bathing Waters Quality Improves
The results from the annual monitoring programme of local bathing water quality have revealed good news about NI's coast. Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots welcomed the report, which he said analyses the current state of 24 sites formally identified under the 1976 EC Bathing Waters Directive and revised with the programme since 1988.
NI Bathing Waters Quality Improves
The results from the annual monitoring programme of local bathing water quality have revealed good news about NI's coast. Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots welcomed the report, which he said analyses the current state of 24 sites formally identified under the 1976 EC Bathing Waters Directive and revised with the programme since 1988.
04 July 2012
Two Beaches Fail Water Quality Tests
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that extreme weather caused two of Northern Ireland's beaches to experience a temporary dip in water quality last week.
Two Beaches Fail Water Quality Tests
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that extreme weather caused two of Northern Ireland's beaches to experience a temporary dip in water quality last week.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
