Co. Clare, Ireland — 04 May. 2012 — Clare County Council has welcomed the publication of the EPA report on Bathing Water Quality showing that 10 of the County’s 11 Bathing Water areas had good status in 2011.
10 bathing areas around Clare were found to have complied with the minimum standards in 2011. They include Ballycuggeran (Lough Derg), Ballyalla Lake (Ennis), Cappa Pier (Kilrush), Bishopsquarter, White Strand (Doonbeg), Kilkee, Spanish Point, Lahinch, Fanore and Mountshannon (Lough Derg).
Commenting on the report, Paul Moroney, Senior Engineer, Clare County Council, stated: “In particular, the Council is pleased that Ballyalla Lake had good results in 2011 and is working to ensure that that improved status is maintained this year and for the future.”
He continued: “Unfortunately, White Strand (Milltown Malbay) had poor status in 2011. 9 samples were taken at this beach during the 2011 bathing water season. 1 sample out of the 9 exceeded guide line and mandatory pollution limits. The sample was taken on the 7th June 2011. At the end of the season a compliance percentage rate is calculated, upon which this location was 89% compliant with the mandatory limits. However, this exceeded the acceptable allowable failure rate of 95%.”
Mr. Moroney added: “The limits only failed on one occasion during the entire season and all other results were in the “Good status” for the season. The weather in the days preceding the test was wet with in excess of 15mm of rain falling in the region. It was deemed at the time that the reason for the failure was most likely due to high rain fall and wash off from land.”
“The bathing water results show that Clare County Council’s bathing waters have excellent quality. In the unlikely event that a result fails Clare County Council implements a protocol to warn bathers of the failures including advice to bathers that the water is unsafe for bathing. This was done at White Strand Milltown Malbay last June when the test result was obtained,” concluded Mr. Moroney.