Front Strand, Balbriggan – Information on All-Season Advisory Notice in place in 2021

What does the All-Season Advisory notice mean?

This is a temporary public health notice advising the public of the potential risk of illness due to the ‘Poor’ classification rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).   This assessment was based on the last four years of bathing water quality data (2017-2020) and is not related to a current bathing water pollution event.   It is not a ban on swimming or a closure of the beach.  It does mean that this water has met ‘poor’ status results in the past and the All-Season Advisory Notice will remain in place until a new assessment at the end of this bathing season is carried out by the EPA.

Will the beach have lifeguards at the beach?

Yes, the beach will have a lifeguarded zone at Front Strand Beach.  A red flag will not be raised at the beach unless there is a need to advise bathers if there is a water safety issue or pollution incident/spill that could affect bathers.  In such cases, a temporary Prohibition (Do not Swim) Notice will replace the All-Season Advisory Notice until the water quality has been tested (check the noticeboard at the beach).  If a sample confirms the pollution incident/event is over the Prohibition Notice will be removed however, the All-Season Advisory notice will be put back in place.  Check water quality results during the bathing season at www.beaches.ie, the noticeboard located at the beach entrance on Quay Street (beside public toilets) or register for results for this beach on Fingal Alerts for information to be sent to your phone.

Should I swim at Nuns Walk/Kings Strand/Back Beach instead?

No - Fingal County Council would encourage bathers to use identified bathing areas where no water safety issues are present e.g. dangerous currents.  Only identified bathing waters will have a lifeguard in place.  

What will bathing water quality testing tell me?

Testing is scheduled for approximately every two weeks at Front Strand, Balbriggan and results will take 2 days from the date the sample is collected to be verified by the lab.   This is not a real-time result but a look back at what to expect at the location.  Protect your health with the ‘48 hour rule’ by not swimming 48 hours after heavy rainfall - https://www.beaches.ie/beach-guide/ .  Check out our website (https://www.fingal.ie/beaches-bathingwaterquality) to see more information.

What are the pollution pressures at Front Strand, Balbriggan?

A beach profile has been prepared for this beach (www.beaches.ie) which identifies the potential pollution pressures to this bathing water.  A beach management plan has been prepared and is available to read on the website www.fingal.ie about the measures being taken to address those potential pollution risks.

Why we test in the bathing season?

The bathing season in Ireland is 1st June – 15th September and is set in the Bathing Water Quality Regulations, 2008 as it is considered the peak exposure period (for significant bather numbers) when swimming occurs in Ireland.  The legislation is a legal requirement for the protection of bather health at peak exposure periods and advice is sought from the Health Service Executive during this period by Local Authorities. 

ENDS

For further information see: https://www.fingal.ie/beaches-bathingwaterquality