Bathing Water Quality
Under the European Union Directive on Bathing Water Quality (76/160) Local Authorities in Ireland may designate bathing areas which then must be subject to Bathing Water Quality Monitoring during the bathing season from mid May to the end of August each year. Samples must be taken every two weeks with a minimum number of seven during the bathing season.How it is measured
Each bathing water site in the country has at least one designated monitoring point which samples are taken from. Each sample obtained must be analysed for the following microbiological and physico-chemical parameters:* Total Coliforms
* Faecal Coliforms
* Faecal Streptoccoci
* Mineral oils
* Surface active substances
* Phenols
* Transparency
* Colour
* Tarry residues
* Faecal Coliforms
* Faecal Streptoccoci
* Mineral oils
* Surface active substances
* Phenols
* Transparency
* Colour
* Tarry residues
Over the bathing season, water quality at each area must comply with the mandatory standards specified in the above Directive for certain parameters. In addition guide values have also been specified, which are more stringent than mandatory values. These guide values can be regarded as quality objectives, which all bathing sites should endeavour to achieve.
Water Quality and Beach Awards
Both Blue Flag And Green Coast Awards require that applicant sites comply with the more stringent Guideline or Excellent standard for the year preceding an award. An Taisce also analyse results during the bathing season to ensure sites are in compliance with excellent water quality standards. Water quaility is only one of the criteria award beaches must meet, further information on the awards and criteria can be found here.You can search for an awarded beach using our interactive map or you can select an area of interest on the right of the screen.
Further information is also available from the EPA, who are responsible for reporting on bathing water quality annually,click here for more.
