Water quality beaches south county Dublin

jenpou

Hi, 

I saw that there is a ban of swimming at the beaches from Seapoint to Killiney beach, south county Dublin, due to a contamination of the waters. Out of personal interest, I called the city council to know if there has been studies done on the causes of this contamination, which seems to happen regularly. They replied that there hasn't been any studies done on their side, and that I should contact you for more information. 
I would be very interested in studies done on the subject, or otherwise in the possibility to discuss this with someone. My interest in the topic is double: I live in Monkstown with two small children and we are directly concerned by the bans and the water quality. Also, I have a master in environmental studies which included the study of wastewater treatments. My first impression of the contaminations along the coast is that it could be interesting to look at the possible link between these contaminations, the wastewater treatments, and the weather records. 

Best regards,
Jennifer Poussin

Irish Water: Aaron P

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for getting in touch. 

We are currently looking into this matter for you and as soon as we have an update we will be in contact.

Kind regards,
Aaron

Irish Water: Aaron P

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much for your query.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors and reports on the water quality of all beaches in Ireland. In addition to its published annual Bathing Water Report, all results and next sampling dates for all bathing water notices are posted on https://www.beaches.ie/. This website contains details of any beaches currently with a reported restriction including the reason for the restriction, latest water quality results and whether the beach is prone to short term pollution as a result of a weather event.

As per the beaches.ie website, a bathing water prohibition notice remains in place at Merrion Strand. This notice is in place as the water quality deteriorated due to suspected impacts from animals/birds and contamination of urban surface waters from roads and footpaths discharging into bathing water.

I hope this information helps.

Kindest regards,
Aaron

jenpou

Hi Aaron,

Thank you for your reply, I will have a look at the website and for the EPA's information. To be completely honest, I find it hard to believe that "animals/birds and contamination of urban surface waters from roads and footpaths" can have such an impact so regularly, although for small beaches maybe it could? Have preventive measures been considered, by limiting the rainwaters getting into the bathing waters for example, or by looking into other possible causes? It seems a shame that some beaches should be forbidden, especially since not everyone will always be aware of the restrictions: we didn't know about the restrictions and went near the beach in Dun Laoghaire this week end, a few people and pets were bathing despite the restriction.

Regards,
Jennifer

jenpou

Thinking further about the causes of the contaminations, I realise that after a long dry spell like the one we had in June, the rain afterwards must have cleaned the streets and provoked a peak of various pollutions. I'd love to hear about any preventive measures taken, if any are possible practically.
Thanks,
Jennifer