West Cork locals to hold meeting over recurring water quality problems at popular beaches
A 'do not swim' notice at Owenahincha beach on Wednesday. Picture: Andy Gibson
A public meeting is set to go ahead in West Cork next week to discuss recurring problems with the quality of bathing water as two popular beaches were reopened for swimming on Thursday.
Cork County Council confirmed the 'do not swim notices' which were imposed on Owenahincha and Warren Beach near Rosscarbery this week have been lifted after tests showed the water quality at both beaches "is now at excellent status".
“The decision made to re-open both beaches was made based on solid scientific data from Cork County Council’s accredited laboratory in Inniscarra, as well as on the professional advice from its staff, and from colleagues in the HSE," it said.
“When water quality is affected at Co Cork beaches, the council may have to take steps to advise or prohibit the public from entering the bathing waters.
“This is done for the purposes of public health, the protection of which is our top priority. However, the council also recognises that the many beautiful beaches along our coast are of vital importance to the local communities and to local business.
“This is why the council makes every effort to determine as soon as possible when a bathing water is again safe to use.”
But Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West Christopher O’Sullivan said he planned to proceed with a public meeting on the water quality issue next week.
The council closed both popular beaches to swimming after high levels of bacteria were found in the bathing water. Photographs show suspended solids clearly visible in the water, which had turned a murky brown.
Signs at the beaches advised bathers, especially those with open wounds, those who are pregnant, or those with a weakened immune system, to avoid swimming, and if they did, to reduce the risk of illness by taking precautions including avoiding swallowing or splashing the water and washing their hands before handling food.
Locals and tourists voiced their anger and concern about the recurring water quality issues in the area, with some blaming the Uisce Éireann wastewater treatment plant in Rosscarbery, and others blaming run-off from agricultural land.
One tourist said: “What's the point of visiting a seaside town if you can't go to the beach? Such a shame for the local businesses as well. This has been an ongoing issue for the last few years. There was a big meeting a few years ago in the Celtic Ross [hotel] with lots of politicians there and nothing has changed.”
Mr O’Sullivan said while nitrates must be reduced, and farmers must be part of the conversation, the Rosscarbery water qualities issues were linked to the local water water treatment plant, and he said it was no coincidence that water quality at beaches either side of the plant was being affected.
“There is just as intense dairy farming activity in Courtmacsherry and Clonakilty but we aren’t seeing the beaches there suffering the same problems,” he said.
The plant was the centre of a probe in August 2022 after lifeguards at Warren Beach and members of the public reported what was potentially a sewage plume in the bathing water.
An EPA report shows following an investigation by the council, there was no apparent spillage or discharge of sewage from the plant, but Uisce Éireann was required to review the desludging frequency at the plant’s two septic tanks, to install appropriate screening at the inlets, and to confirm whether the plant was meeting the design criteria for primary treatment.
It was also recommended the plant be prioritised for required upgrades to meet the emission limit values specified in its discharge licence, the EPA report said.
However, the plant, which is listed as an ‘amber’ facility — one with limited spare capacity — is not listed for upgrade.
The meeting is due to go ahead at the Celtic Ross Hotel next Thursday, August 22.
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