Absence of “significant scientific resources” will stop Clare County Council from committing to a more stringent bathing water quality testing regime.
Referencing a notable increase in the amount of people swimming at the fourteen designated bathing areas in Clare, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) called on Clare County Council to put in place a bathing water quality testing regime across the full calendar year.
Bathing areas are currently monitored from June 1st to September 15th each year, senior engineer Cyril Feeney explained. This is in accordance with Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008. “The bathing water quality testing regime is labour intensive involving on-site sampling, lab analysis, posting of information, liaising with the HSE, putting in place advisory or prohibition bathing notices and covers a significant geographic area of the county. It is a major investment of resources and forms part of a bigger inspection regime mandated each year by the EPA”.
“Unfortunately, it is not possible at this time to commit to an expanded 12 month bathing water testing regime due to the significant scientific resources required,” he added.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the County Council, Cllr Murphy flagged how sea swimming “has become a massive part of the lives of many people”. He stated, “I feel we do all we can to protect people’s health in the bathing season but on the 16th Sept it’s as you were and back to yourself”. The Kilkee man continued, “I appreciate the cost implications and the resources but I think our job is to spend public money for public benefit. There is a responsibility to ensure these activities can be engaged in a safe way”.
There is “a duty of care” to extend the length of testing, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) maintained. He said that there was a “phenomenal” uptake in sea swimming in Kilrush. “Some of the areas are very low risk areas, some of them are high risk, maybe we could do it in a scaled approach, tie in with local media to put out a warning based on predicted rainfall in particular areas. I don’t think it is something we can’t do anything on”.
Clare’s “fabulous locations” must be protected, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) affirmed. He said the local authority is “taking a strategic look at proliferation of caravan parks and holiday homes, I do believe it is a contributory factor to pollution”.
Ballyalla’s water quality has visibly improved following the creation of the Blue Flag Working Group in 2013 which has been aided by the Council, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) outlined.
More consideration needs to be given to the request, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) felt. “I swam in Doonbeg yesterday, it is good for health and wellbeing, that has driven it on during COVID, take Snamhai Sasta in Spanish Point, it goes on everyday but Sundays in particular”. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) revealed, “I’m not a swimmer, I’ve a fear of the water, it is something I’ve lived with. If we’re talking of Clare as a beacon as an all-year round destination, we need to support this”.
Blue Flag beaches must hold their accreditation, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) stressed as he suggested a pilot project be introduced.
Testing at locations in Clare “is great but it is flawed,” Cllr Liam Grant (GP) claimed as he flagged “it takes two or three days to get results, often the days it is closed are not the days when the water is at its worst”. He added, “I’m not saying I’m against testing but I’d be pushing for proper wastewater treatment to stop the run off of bacteria. We’ve seen problems in Lahinch, Kilkee and Doolin. I wonder how much of a safety net testing in winter would be, anytime there is heavy rain there will be bacteria in the water”.
Patters and “a bigger picture” are established through testing, Cllr Murphy responded. “If we understand what is happening at the end of the pipe, it will have softer pollutions. The Blue Flag destinations are a PR or marketing sticker, they are very nice but they don’t address any issues”.
