Bathing spots shut over E.coli threat

Two popular bathing spots have been closed in West Cork after the discovery of excessive E.coli levels.

The blue flag beach Tragumna, near Skibbereen, may reopen today but Kilcrohane, on the Sheep’s Head peninsula, will remain closed after swimmers there became ill.

The HSE confirmed that it received complaints of bathers suffered vomiting bouts after swimming in the water at the peninsula location.

As a result, Cork County Council closed the bathing spot after conducting water quality tests at Kilcrohane slip and pier.

Results confirmed excessive levels of the bacteria in the sea water and a stream that feeds it.

A council spokesman said it was believed that recent flash flooding in the area may have washed cattle faeces into the sea, resulting in the elevated levels of E.coli.

He said investigations were continuing and further sampling would be carried out.

The area will be reopened to bathers when the E.coli levels drop to a level deemed safe for swimming.

Meanwhile, council officials are hoping that results due out today may allow it to reopen the beach at Tragumna.

The beach was closed on Aug 8 after excessive E.coli levels were discovered in the water there.

A council spokesman said results from tests taken on Aug 12 showed bacteria levels had dropped but not sufficiently to lift the ban on swimming.

However, with no heavy rain in recent days, the spokesman said results of more tests expected today may allow the council to reopen the beach.

In June, the council was also forced to prohibit swimming at Fountainstown, 23km south of Cork City, after tests showed E.coli levels of more than twice the EU permissible limit.

Heavy downpours were again thought to be responsible for the elevated E.coli levels and the beach remained closed for several days until the water quality improved.

Around the same time, advisory notices were also placed at three beaches in West Cork — Barleycove in the Mizen peninsula, The Warren at Rosscarbery, and Tragumna.

While the E.coli levels were high at these beaches, they were not in breach of the EU limit.

However, the council advised swimmers not to swallow the water and to wash their hands before eating in order to prevent illness.