EPA: Ireland must build climate resilience into the way it manages bathing waters

Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency says record rainfall and storms led to more beach closures in 2023 than in previous years. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA

The number of pollution incidents causing the closure of beaches in Ireland rose by a third last year, as the environment watchdog warned we must “build climate resilience” into how we manage bathing waters.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said record rainfall last July and storms in April led to more beach closures in 2023 than in previous years, as waste water overflows and runoff from agricultural lands can damage the water quality in an area.

“This needs action by all sectors including Uisce Éireann, local authorities, and agriculture,” said Eimear Cotter, the director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment.

“While beach closures play an important role in protecting bathers’ health, local authorities need to improve their understanding of the pressures which can impact beaches in the context of changing rainfall patterns.”

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Forty-five pollution incidents were reported to the EPA during 2023, compared to 34 the previous year. When they happen, swimming restrictions are put into effect until sampling shows the water quality is safe.

Local authorities put up 228 ‘prior warning’ notices at beaches last year to warn swimmers that short-term pollution may occur due to heavy rainfall for a few days. This was up 42 on the previous year. Such warnings are removed when sampling shows the water is safe.

As part of its remit, the EPA takes samples of the 148 bathing waters around the country. In 2023, 114 (77%) were of ‘excellent’ quality. This was a slight decrease on the previous year. A further 24 were classified as ‘good’, while five were deemed ‘sufficient’ by the EPA, meaning that 97% of sites inspected met or exceeded the minimum standard.

Five beaches were classified as being of poor quality, an increase of two from the previous year. These were Balbriggan Front Strand Beach, Loughshinny, and Sandymount (all in Dublin), Lady’s Bay in Buncrana, Co Donegal, and Trá na mBan in An Spidéal, Co Galway.

The EPA said Uisce Éireann needs to continue to improve the operation, management, and maintenance of treatment plants and networks that impact on bathing waters, while local authorities need to prioritise the five poor areas and address those issues.

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While urban waste water incidents were the most common cause of beach closures last year, dog fouling and algal blooms also impacted on bathing waters in 2023.

In Sandymount, the main sources of pollution are misconnections and sewage overflows which contaminate streams flowing to the bathing water, dog fouling left on the beach, and birds.

The EPA said programmes to raise awareness of dog fouling are ongoing, while Uisce Éireann has made “significant improvements” to its waste water network.