Menu
17/10/2013
NI Beaches Achieve 100% Quality
Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality.
The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
All beaches were classified as having 'good' water quality or better.
20 of the 23 beaches also met the higher guideline standards, meaning the water quality at those beaches was 'excellent' over the summer bathing season.
Commenting on the results, Environment Minister H Durkan said: "This is brilliant news for bathers. Northern Ireland’s beaches are some of the finest in Europe and one of our best assets. It is fantastic to see our beaches performing so well on water quality.
"My Department has worked closely with its partners through the Good Beach Summits to ensure that our bathing waters and the rivers which flow into them are adequately protected. A lot of work has been carried out particularly in catchments that have previously had poorer water quality. NI Water made significant improvements to the sewage treatment network and this is now paying off in our water quality results.
"The greatest threat to our bathing water quality is heavy rainfall. Whilst we did experience some great weather in June and July, August and September brought some very heavy downpours so it would seem that the new infrastructure is managing that pollution risk and better protecting our bathing waters.
In 2012 only one beach failed to pass the mandatory standards, in spite of it being the second wettest summer since 1912.
Stricter standards for assessing bathing water quality are to be introduced in 2015 through the implementation of the revised EC Bathing Water Directive. The standards will be approximately twice as strict.
George Butler, Director of Asset Management for NI Water said: "The major investment over recent years at Newcastle has really helped to improve the bathing water quality and I would like to thank all the organisations who have helped to make this happen."
(IT/CD)
The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
All beaches were classified as having 'good' water quality or better.
20 of the 23 beaches also met the higher guideline standards, meaning the water quality at those beaches was 'excellent' over the summer bathing season.
Commenting on the results, Environment Minister H Durkan said: "This is brilliant news for bathers. Northern Ireland’s beaches are some of the finest in Europe and one of our best assets. It is fantastic to see our beaches performing so well on water quality.
"My Department has worked closely with its partners through the Good Beach Summits to ensure that our bathing waters and the rivers which flow into them are adequately protected. A lot of work has been carried out particularly in catchments that have previously had poorer water quality. NI Water made significant improvements to the sewage treatment network and this is now paying off in our water quality results.
"The greatest threat to our bathing water quality is heavy rainfall. Whilst we did experience some great weather in June and July, August and September brought some very heavy downpours so it would seem that the new infrastructure is managing that pollution risk and better protecting our bathing waters.
In 2012 only one beach failed to pass the mandatory standards, in spite of it being the second wettest summer since 1912.
Stricter standards for assessing bathing water quality are to be introduced in 2015 through the implementation of the revised EC Bathing Water Directive. The standards will be approximately twice as strict.
George Butler, Director of Asset Management for NI Water said: "The major investment over recent years at Newcastle has really helped to improve the bathing water quality and I would like to thank all the organisations who have helped to make this happen."
(IT/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 November 2010
Seaside Gets Cleaner Bill Of Health
The seaside bathing areas in NI are getting better, according to a water quality survey with just two out of 24 sites tested around the coast failing to meet the required European standards.
Seaside Gets Cleaner Bill Of Health
The seaside bathing areas in NI are getting better, according to a water quality survey with just two out of 24 sites tested around the coast failing to meet the required European standards.
19 September 2014
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
22 November 2023
96% Of NI's Bathing Water Meets Quality Standards
96% of Northern Ireland's bathing waters have met the required standards for water quality, continuing to perform well in 2023 despite it being the wettest July in NI since records began. Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms.
96% Of NI's Bathing Water Meets Quality Standards
96% of Northern Ireland's bathing waters have met the required standards for water quality, continuing to perform well in 2023 despite it being the wettest July in NI since records began. Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms.
18 November 2013
£3.1m Investment In North Down Water
£3.1m is being invested in water infrastructure improvement for North Down. NI Water is scheduled to commence work on a programme of improvement work to upgrade the sewerage infrastructure and key pumping stations in the Bangor area. The scheme is expected to get underway towards the end of November and be completed before summer 2014.
£3.1m Investment In North Down Water
£3.1m is being invested in water infrastructure improvement for North Down. NI Water is scheduled to commence work on a programme of improvement work to upgrade the sewerage infrastructure and key pumping stations in the Bangor area. The scheme is expected to get underway towards the end of November and be completed before summer 2014.
22 May 2009
NI Beach Quality Drops
Only 30% of Northern Ireland beaches have been recommended for bathing in this year's Good Beach Guide. While Benone Beach in Co Londonderry, (pictured here by Brian McCalden) was a top performer, other well known shorelines were slammed.
NI Beach Quality Drops
Only 30% of Northern Ireland beaches have been recommended for bathing in this year's Good Beach Guide. While Benone Beach in Co Londonderry, (pictured here by Brian McCalden) was a top performer, other well known shorelines were slammed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
