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24/08/2007
NI Beaches Hit By Pollution Problems
Beach water quality on Northern Ireland strands has suffered this year due to the torrential rain and procession of storms across the UK and Ireland.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has reported that Ballyholme, Carnlough and Newcastle have met only "Basic Pass" standards.
However, water quality at 85% of the UK’s bathing beaches were found to be of a ‘Good Standard’ following a mid-summer analysis of water quality data from 553 bathing sites.
MCS has warned that the number of UK beaches failing minimum legal standards for water quality, or only achieving a "Basic Pass", is significantly higher compared to this time last year, and 1 in 8 beaches have suffered a serious short-term pollution incident at some point during the first half of the summer.
In its ‘mid-season beach health check ‘ – an analysis of bathing water quality during the first ten weeks of the summer season, MCS concluded from weekly tests that standards remained generally good on UK beaches, despite May, June and July being the wettest on record. But storm related pollution has reduced 67 beaches to the basic legal water quality standard – double the number at this point last summer – and 71 beaches have suffered serious one-off pollution incidents.
MCS has called on the Government to provide public information on all bathing beaches, advising swimmers that coastal waters can be temporarily affected by increased pollution, with a consequent risk to bathers’ health, after heavy rain.
The Society has urged swimmers to be aware of possible pollution after severe rain or flooding, and where pollution occurs to wait at least 24 hours after the rain stops before entering the sea.
This mid-season beach report is derived from water quality samples from each of 553 official UK bathing beaches.
The results are published on the MCS Good Beach Guide website www.goodbeachguide.co.uk.
(SP/JM)
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has reported that Ballyholme, Carnlough and Newcastle have met only "Basic Pass" standards.
However, water quality at 85% of the UK’s bathing beaches were found to be of a ‘Good Standard’ following a mid-summer analysis of water quality data from 553 bathing sites.
MCS has warned that the number of UK beaches failing minimum legal standards for water quality, or only achieving a "Basic Pass", is significantly higher compared to this time last year, and 1 in 8 beaches have suffered a serious short-term pollution incident at some point during the first half of the summer.
In its ‘mid-season beach health check ‘ – an analysis of bathing water quality during the first ten weeks of the summer season, MCS concluded from weekly tests that standards remained generally good on UK beaches, despite May, June and July being the wettest on record. But storm related pollution has reduced 67 beaches to the basic legal water quality standard – double the number at this point last summer – and 71 beaches have suffered serious one-off pollution incidents.
MCS has called on the Government to provide public information on all bathing beaches, advising swimmers that coastal waters can be temporarily affected by increased pollution, with a consequent risk to bathers’ health, after heavy rain.
The Society has urged swimmers to be aware of possible pollution after severe rain or flooding, and where pollution occurs to wait at least 24 hours after the rain stops before entering the sea.
This mid-season beach report is derived from water quality samples from each of 553 official UK bathing beaches.
The results are published on the MCS Good Beach Guide website www.goodbeachguide.co.uk.
(SP/JM)
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17 October 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.
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.
02 May 2003
Report shows decline in NI beach water quality
A UK wide report has revealed that the water quality at many of Northern Ireland's most popular beaches is getting worse. The Marine Conservation Society tests water quality throughout the UK on a regular basis and recommended that only four out of 27 beaches in the province were up to standard.
Report shows decline in NI beach water quality
A UK wide report has revealed that the water quality at many of Northern Ireland's most popular beaches is getting worse. The Marine Conservation Society tests water quality throughout the UK on a regular basis and recommended that only four out of 27 beaches in the province were up to standard.
27 March 2013
NI Beaches Have 'Excellent' Water Quality
Overall, Northern Ireland's beaches have 'excellent' water quality, according to a newly-published study by the Marine Conservation Society (MSC). This is despite one beach, at Newcastle in County Down, failing to meet the minimum EU standard for bathing water quality.
NI Beaches Have 'Excellent' Water Quality
Overall, Northern Ireland's beaches have 'excellent' water quality, according to a newly-published study by the Marine Conservation Society (MSC). This is despite one beach, at Newcastle in County Down, failing to meet the minimum EU standard for bathing water quality.
04 July 2012
Two Beaches Fail Water Quality Tests
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that extreme weather caused two of Northern Ireland's beaches to experience a temporary dip in water quality last week.
Two Beaches Fail Water Quality Tests
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has revealed that extreme weather caused two of Northern Ireland's beaches to experience a temporary dip in water quality last week.
28 May 2004
Quality of water at NI beaches improves
The quality the water at Northern Ireland's beaches has improved over the last year, a new survey has revealed. The Marine Conservation Society said that 8 out of 27 beaches in the province had met the necessary EU safety standards, compared with four in 2003.
Quality of water at NI beaches improves
The quality the water at Northern Ireland's beaches has improved over the last year, a new survey has revealed. The Marine Conservation Society said that 8 out of 27 beaches in the province had met the necessary EU safety standards, compared with four in 2003.
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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.
