Summary: The monitoring of water quality at 136 identified bathing waters in 2012 is governed by the new Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (S.I 79 of 2008) which transposed the new EU Directive on bathing water (2006/7/EC). The 2006 Directive gives stronger focus on the protection of public health, a proactive approach to the management of bathing water quality and greater public participation.
Overall the quality of Ireland’s bathing water quality remains very high, with 97.1 per cent of bathing waters (132 of 136 identified bathing waters) complying with the EU mandatory values and achieving at least ‘sufficient’ water quality status. From 2009 to 2012, the proportion of bathing waters meeting the mandatory values has increased by over five per cent. The proportion of bathing waters meeting the stricter ‘good’ water quality was 67 per cent (91 of 136 identified bathing waters) due to the impacts of the wettest summer in nearly 50 years.
The legislation governing the quality of bathing waters for the 2011 season is set out in the new Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (SI No. 79 of 2008) which transposed the new EU Directive on bathing water (2006/7/EC) that came into force on 24 March 2006. Transitional measures are in place until the 2008 Regulations are fully implemented in 2015.
Overall, while the vast majority of Ireland’s identified bathing waters meet the current minimum standards, the stricter criteria set out in the 2006 Directive (2006/7/EC) will require local authorities to make even greater efforts to improve the water quality and to tackle potential sources of pollution.
More information can be found on the EPA Splash website.
https://www.epa.ie/media/epa-2020/monitoring-amp-assessment/freshwater-amp-marine/Bathing-Water-Report2012_DLC.jpg