Monitoring & Assessment: Freshwater & Marine Publications

Bathing Water Quality in Ireland

A Report for the Year 2015

Summary: The quality of Ireland’s bathing waters remains very high with just over 93% of identified bathing waters (128 of 137) meeting the minimum EU standards for ‘Sufficient’ water quality over the 4 year assessment period 2012-2015. Full details can be view in the downloaded report.

Key Findings:

• In 2015, 93.4% of bathing waters (128 of the 137 bathing areas) complied with  EU minimum standards and were classified as achieving at least ‘Sufficient’ water quality status.
• Three quarters of bathing waters (101 of 137, 74%) were classified as being of ‘Excellent’ water quality.
• A further 13 (9%) were classified as being of ‘Good’ water quality.
• 14 bathing areas (10%) classified as being of ‘Sufficient’ water quality.  These waters remain at risk of episodic pollution events.
• 2 bathing waters (Lilliput and Clifden) improved significantly and were classed as ‘Changes’ until sufficient samples are available for full classification
• 6 bathing waters (4.4%) failed to meet the minimum required standard and were classified as being of ‘Poor’ quality. These were: