Water quality improvements recorded at Fingal beaches

Fingal County Council has welcomed news that water quality at four of the ten Fingal beaches has recorded improvements since last year.

Four beaches - Skerries, South Beach, Loughshinny Beach, and Rush South and Rush North Beaches - have improved in water quality status since 2018.

The annual Bathing Quality 2018 report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that water quality at Loughshinny has improved from ‘Poor’ in 2018 to ‘Good’ this year, while Rush South Beach has improved from ‘Poor’ in 2018 to ‘Sufficient’ this year. Improvements were also recorded at Rush North Beach and Skerries South beach. The former two beaches are now open for swimming this summer.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin said: “I am delighted with the news that the bathing quality of four Fingal beaches has improved over the last year. I am particularly pleased to see that improvements in water quality have been recorded in Loughshinny and Rush South Beach.

“Fingal County Council is very proud of our beaches and works continuously to maintain and improve facilities for residents and visitors. Hopefully we will enjoy a warm summer so they can be enjoyed by all.”

The Velvet Strand in Portmarnock and the Burrow Beach in Sutton both achieved a status of 'Excellent'. Only one beach, The Brook, Portrane, is at ‘Poor’ status. Fingal County Council has submitted a management plan to the EPA.

Gilbert Power, Director of Services for Environment and Water Services, commented: “While water quality at The Brook, Portrane remains ‘Poor’, Fingal County Council’s plan submitted to the EPA details the short and longer term measures the Council will implement to address the potential pollution sources at Portrane. It is worth noting that all samples bar one met the test for ‘Excellent’ status during last year’s bathing season at Portrane.

“We work hard to have the best quality of bathing water for Fingal residents and this report shows we have made significant improvements in this area.” 

Information on the results of water quality sampling undertaken at Fingal beaches is available to view during the bathing season at www.beaches.ie, on Fingal County Council social media platforms, and is posted on noticeboards at the beaches.

A ‘Poor’ classification means that the bathing water has not met the minimum standard required under the Bathing Water Regulations. 

An all season advisory notice “Not to Swim” will be in place at The Brook, Portrane in 2019.

Beach Name & Status 2019

1 Balbriggan, Front Beach:                           Sufficient

2 Skerries, South Beach:                               Good

3 Loughshinny Beach:                                  Good

4 Rush, South Beach:                                    Sufficient

5 Rush, North Beach:                                    Good

6 Portrane, The Brook Beach:                      Poor

7 Donabate, Balcarrick Beach:                     Sufficient

8 Portmarnock, Velvet Strand Beach:         Excellent

9 Sutton, Burrow Beach:                              Excellent

10 Howth, Claremont Beach:                      Sufficient