Bathing Water Profile - Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East (2014)

Bathing Water: Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East Bathing Water Code: IESEBWC100_0000_0100 Local Authority: County Council River Basin District: South Eastern Monitoring Point: 269100E, 100850N

1. Profile Details:

Profile Id: BWPR00269 Toilets Available: Yes Year Of Profile: 2014 Car Parking Available: Yes Year Of Identification 1992 Disabled Access: No Version Number: 1 First Aid Available: Yes Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: No Lifesaving Facilities: Yes

Figure 1: Bathing Water 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and Counsellor’s Strand is located on the south coast of Ireland in adjacent to Dunmore East extent: village. The strand is set in a large cove and it lies within the coastal body of the South Eastern River Basin District.

The beach is accessed by a steep path from the carpark at the top of the cove. At low tide only it can also be accessed via the adjacent Dunmore Strand. Shops and public toilets are available at the lower village. Parking is available at the carpark located at the top of the cove.

The designated bathing area is approximately 100 metres long and 75 metres wide (at low tide).

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water: Counsellors Strand is a sandy beach set within a large steep sided cove. Water: Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone: The cove surrounding the beach consists of striking red sandstone cliffs and geological features, such as folding, can be seen in the surrounding cliffs.

Water Depth: The beach has a gentle slope and is well protected and sheltered.

Tidal Range: The tidal range is medium and most of the beach is covered at high tide.

Sensitive Area: The cliffs support a variety of seabirds not least being the colony of kittiwakes which nest along the face of the cliffs. Above the beach and cove there is a grassed area suitable for picnics and viewing.

Max. number of visitor during a day in high season: 75

Approx number of visitor during the bathing season: 250 Activities available at the In addition to swimming, bodyboarding and kayaking are popular activities at Counselors Strand. The Bathing Water: adventure centre located at the harbour offers a variety of water sports and land based activities such as rock-climbing. Sea angling and sightseeing trips are also available from the nearby harbour. Whale (winter) and dolphin (summer) watching trips are also available. Extensive woodland walks are possible from the village.

Contributing catchment CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS details: Counsellors

Area 3.5 km2

Hydrological apects: Small stream running to strand west of Counsellors

Topography: high point metres 76

Topography: distance from high point to bathing area metres 1600

Topography: average slope % 5

Bedrock: Sandstone 100%

Land cover and land use: Woodland 10%Urban 30%arable & pasture 60%

Designated areas: pNHA Sea cliffs

Main Towns/ Villages (Population): Dunmore ( 1600)

Precipitation mm/yr: 800-1200

Monitoring point details: The monitoring point is located in the centre of the bathing area

Reason for selection of the This point is most representative for bathing water users. monitoring point:

Water quality assessment: The bathing water is continuously monitored for the different types of bacteria shown in the tables. The bathing water is tested at least every 30 days. In the table you can see when the water has been analysed and how many bacteria were found. A small number of bacteria tell you that the water is very clean - a high number of bacteria tell you that the water may be polluted and could contain bacteria from sewage. A ststistical analysis of the bathing water is undertaken to classify the bathing water either as AGOOD, SUFFICIENT or POOR.

The latest water test classification for 2013 was GOOD. A summary of EPA water quality classifications for the each of the previous three seasons are presented below.

2010 GOOD

2011 GOOD

2012 SUFFICIENT

Further information on bathing water quality is available at www.epa.ie/splash/

and at www.waterfordcoco.ie/.

3. Identified Pressures: Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk: Description: Surface water stream, potentially high bacteriological counts especially following heavy rainfall Source: Surface stream at main strand Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: No

Description: Main sewage discharge, untreated sewage, short outfall, 800 m from beach Source: Dunmore village wastewater discharge Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No

3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk: Description: Combined disinfected stormwater overflow at Strand during flood conditions and pumping breakdown. Source: Stormwater overflow at main strand Type: Sewer Networks Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Moderate Risk Frequency: <1 Duration: < 48 hours Risk Assessment The Microbial Pollution Potential (MPP) of the pressure was assessed according to the EPA and Methodology: WHO guidance documents on recreational and bathing water profiling. The Water Quality Impact (WQI) was assessed by calculating the 95%ile values for Faecal Coliform and Faecal Streptococci results for the most recent five bathing seasons. Finally, the Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) was assessed by combining the MPP and WQI scores to get low, medium or high risk scores for each identified pressure

Risk Assessment MPP LOW Results: WQI B MPR LOW

Details: Moderate risk to bathing water quality if discharge from main strand CSO . Management Measures: Chlorination of discharge. Potential closure of beach to bathing.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Cyanobacteria are not considered a risk in this saline open water location. There is no recorded of cyanobacteria: instance of cyanobacteria at the bathing area or in surrounding waters.

Proposed management measures for Any complaints received regarding macroalgae accumulations will be investigated with regard to cyanobacteria: potential nuisance, health risk and appropriate actions.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of macroalgae:

Proposed management measures for Phytoplankton blooms (of Phaeocystsis sp and Noctiluca sp) have been recorded in the past macroalgae: along the Waterford coast.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Macroalgae can be occasionally washed up on the beach depending on weather conditions. of marine phytoplankton: However this seldom poses a significant nuisance.

Proposed management measures for marine Prompt investigation of reports of water discolouration and phytoplankton blooms. Identification of phytoplankton: species present and liaison with Marine Institute, Phytoplankton Section. Provision of information to the public via notice boards and website.

Additional Information: In accordance with beach bye-laws, dogs are not permitted on the beach between 11am and 7pm during June, July and August. The lighting of fires, camping, exercising of horses and use of motor vehicles are also generally prohibited on the beach, unless permission is granted under special licence. Jetskis or fast motor boats are not permitted within 200 metres of the waterline.

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East Good Good Sufficient Good

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Waterford City and County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Water Services, Civic Offices, , Co. Waterford Phone: 058 22000