Bathing water results are worth making a splash about - Poots
Date published:
Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed news that more than half of our bathing waters are officially excellent - but he warned bathers and sun seekers not to use it as an excuse to flock to our beaches and flout Covid-19 measures.
According to DAERA’s 2019 Bathing Water Quality Results, Northern Ireland continues to enjoy some of the best bathing water quality in the UK and Europe.
“There is much to celebrate with these excellent results for the quality of our bathing waters, especially given the changeable weather our coastline is often subject to. We can take great pride in them and the work that goes into reducing water pollution and keeping our bathing waters clean and safe,” Minister Poots said.
All 26 bathing waters around our coast have met strict European standards for water quality. Fourteen of the 26 bathing waters were classified as ‘Excellent’, a prerequisite for the coveted Blue Flag Award and the highest water quality standard. A further nine met the ‘Good’ standard and the remaining met the ‘Sufficient’ standard.
With good weather forecast for the rest of the week, Minister Poots warned people to think twice about visiting local beaches and beauty spots.
“It is very tempting to visit our lovely beaches, especially when the sun is shining, but I would urge you to think twice. Continue to protect yourself and your community from the spread of this infection. Everyone must remain focused on protecting the health and well-being of each other as well as protecting our health services,” he added.
If you are planning any outdoor visits, continue to protect yourself and your community. You can travel to exercise but you are encouraged to be responsible. Don’t travel too far and avoid travelling to places where there are likely to be lots of people and where it will be difficult to maintain social distancing.
Remember to keep safe when playing in the water and check if there are lifeguard services operating https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/keeping-safe-waterways-and-coast
The results are:
Excellent Quality
- Magilligan (Benone)
- Magilligan (Downhill)
- Portstewart
- Portrush Mill – (West)
- Portrush Whiterocks
- Portballintrae
- Helen’s Bay
- Groomsport
- Cloughey
- Kilclief
- Ballyhornan
- Tyrella
- Murlough Co. Down
- Cranfield Bay
Good Quality
- Castlerock
- Portrush Curran (East)
- Ballycastle
- Carnlough
- Ballygally
- Brown’s Bay
- Crawfordsburn
- Millisle
- Ballywalter
Sufficient Quality
- Waterfoot
- Ballyholme
- Newcastle
Notes to editors:
- The published 2019 Bathing Water Compliance results are available at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bathing-water-quality
- The bathing season normally runs from 1 June to 15 September. During this time, a comprehensive bathing water monitoring programme is carried out by DAERA staff. This programme has been in place since 1988.
- In 2020, it will not be possible to carry out the normal programme because of limitations as a result of Covid-19. However, the DAERA Marine and Fisheries Division team will endeavour to ensure that some level of monitoring will be continued during this summer.
- Comparing the 2019 with the 2018 classifications, the overall classification for 22 locations were unchanged. An improvement in classification was seen at two locations; Cloughey moved from ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’ and Ballywalter from ‘Sufficient’ to ‘Good’. Whilst Millisle and Ballycastle both dropped from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Good’.
- The Better Beaches Forum produced a Better Beaches Report 2018. Local councils, the National Trust and NIEA have a statutory role as bathing water operators. DAERA continues to work with NI Water to improve the water environment through targeted investment in improved sewage treatment and with the agriculture sector to administer a number of agri-environment incentive schemes. Both sectors are also regulated.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office via email to pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 9037 8110.
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