Extreme weather events 'threaten water quality at Cork's blue flag beaches'

It comes after 100% of Cork’s identified bathing waters met or exceeded the minimum required standards, and 93% were classified as excellent or good.

Louis Duffy, director of Cork County Council’s Environment Directorate, was addressing the loss of Blue Flag status for the Warren Strand near Rosscarbery. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Extreme weather events caused by climate change are an increasing threat to water quality at beaches along the Cork coast and may lead to some losing their Blue Flag status as a result.

That was the warning from Louis Duffy, director of Cork County Council’s Environment Directorate, to a meeting of the council’s Western Division.