Bathing Water Profile - Beach (2013)

Bathing Water: Rosses Point Beach Bathing Water Code: IEWEBWC450_0000_0100 Local Authority: County Council River Basin District: Western Monitoring Point: 162660E, 340174N

1. Profile Details:

Profile Id: BWPR00223 Toilets Available: Yes Year Of Profile: 2013 Car Parking Available: Yes Year Of Identification 1992 Disabled Access: Yes Version Number: 1 First Aid Available: Yes Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: Yes Lifesaving Facilities: Yes

Figure 1: Bathing Water 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and Rosses Point Beach is located approximately 8km north west of Sligo Town at the end of the Rosses Point extent: peninsula. The beach is west facing with Bay to the north and to the south. The beach area is divided by a small prominentary, creating two beaches known locally as the first (more southerly and much smaller) and second beaches.

Rosses Point beach is a fine sandy beach, approximately 1.5km in length, and is backed by sand dunes and a golf course. The bathing area which is patrolled by lifeguards during the bathing season is approximately 300m in length.

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water: Rosses Point Beach is a sheltered sandy beach, backed by sand dunes. Water: Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone : This beach forms part of the Drumcliff Bay Special Protection Area (Ref. SPA 004013), and the Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) Special Area of Conservation (Ref. SAC 000627). Further details on each site can be found on the National Parks and Woldlife Service website, www.npws.ie.

Tidal Range: The beach is macrotidal.

Land Use: Rosses Point Beach is bounded by a golf course and caravan park, beyond this is the seaside resort of Rosses Point, with shop, hotel and restaurants. Beyond this the land use is predominantly agriculture and one-off rural housing.

Sensitive Area: The beach lies between the Drumcliff Bay Special Protection Area (Ref. SPA 004013) to the north which contains the Drumcliff Bay Designated Shellfish Area, and the Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) Special Area of Conservation (Ref. SAC 000627) to the south which contains the Sligo Bay Designated Shellfish Area.

Activities available at the The beach is popular for running, walking and kite surfing. There is car parking adjacent to the beach. Bathing Water: Public toilets are also available in the vicinity of the beach. Lifeguard cover is provided during the bathing season. A local bus service operates in the area.

There is plenty of holiday accommodation, including guesthouses, hotel, camping and caravanning all in the vicinity of the beach. Rosses point Yacht Club is nearby and they provide sailing courses during the summer off shore. The RNLI also have a base at Rosses Point.

There is a nice coastal walk along Rosses Point Penninsula and harbour which continues along the headland to Rosses Point beach.

Activities prohibited are those listed in the Beach Bye Laws 2007. These can be viewed on 's Website under Water Safety, www.sligococo.ie. and on the beach notice board. Activities available at the Bathing Water:

Contributing catchment The contributing catchment for Rosses Point Beach could primarily be associated with that of the details: Garavogue River which discharges to the sea south of Rosses Point beach. The Garavogue Estuary (WE_470_0100) is classified as unpolluted.

The beach lies between the Drumcliff Bay (WE_480_0100) and Sligo Bay (WE_450_0000) to the south. The village of Rosses Point is located approximately 1km from the beach and beyond this the catchment is predominantly rural in nature with agriculture and rural housing being the main land uses. The village of Rosses Point is served by a primary waste water treatment plant, this is located approximately 3km from the bathing area.

Topography: Low lying catchment.

Formal Designations: The beach lies between the Drumcliff Bay Special Protection Area (Ref. SPA 004013) to the north which contains the Drumcliff Bay Designated Shellfish Area, and the Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (SligoBay) Special Area of Conservation (Ref. SAC 000627) to the south which contains the Sligo Bay Designated Shellfish Area.

Population Centres: The main population centres in the vicinity of Rosses Point Beach are Rosses Point Village, 1km away and Sligo Town, 8km from the beach.

Rainfall: The closest rainfall station to Rosses Point Beach, operated by Met Eireann is at Markree, , Co.Sligo. There are a number of other small independent rainfall stations locally, with limited data available.

Monitoring point details: The XY Co-ordinates for the nominal bathing water monitoring point are 162660, 340174. The precise location of the bathing water monitoring point can vary as referred to below depending on tides and weather influences.

Reason for selection of the The monitoring point is located within the main bathing area at the beach. monitoring point:

Water quality assessment: For the 2012 bathing season, Rosses Point Beach achieved good water quality status and complied with the EU guide and mandatory valules. Rosses Point Beach had good water quality status in the periods 2009 to 2011.

Annual Bathing Water Classification

• 2009 Good • 2010 Good • 2011 Good • 2012 Good 3. Identified Pressures:

Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk:

Description: There are a number of small farms located in the contributing catchment.

Source: Agriculture Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: No

Description: There are a number of individual houses located in the contributing catchment, all with some form of on-site effluent treatment system.

Source: On-site waste water treatment plants Type: Septic Tank Short Term Pressure: No

Description: A new waste water treatment plant for Sligo Town was commissioned in 2009.

Source: Sligo Town Wastewater Treatment Plant Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No

3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk:

Description: Following heavy rainfall there may be a threat of short term water pollution at this beach. Source: Rainfall Type: Rainwater discharges Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: <2 per season Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment Results for previous seasons will be assessed relative to historic rainfall records. Methodology:

Risk Assessment It is anticipated that predictions of compromised water quality will be made on completion of the risk Results: assessment above. For now actions will be taken if extreme rainfall events are forecast. Details: Following heavy rainfall there may be a threat of short term water pollution at this beach. Management If water quality is or is likely to be compromised, bathers will be notified of any potential risks. This Measures: will be done in consultation with the HSE and EPA. Further investigations of the bathing water catchment will be carried out if results show non-compliance with prescribed standards.

Description: There are three storm overflows associated with the Rosses Point Sewer Network. Source: Combined Storm Overflows Type: Sewer Networks Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: <2 per season Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment The risk assessment methodology is as recommended in the EPA Guidance for the Development of Methodology: Bathing Water Profiles published in 2010.

Risk Assessment There is no evidence to link overflows with bathing water non-compliances, however following heavy Results: rainfall there is a potential for discharges which could affect water quality at the beach.

Using the EPA Guidance referenced above, the discharges are considered as long sea outfall, with no treatment. The microbial pollution potential (MMP) is moderate. The 95th percentile for Intestinal Enterococci for the period 2010-2013 for Rosses Point Bathing Water is 64, therefore the Water Quality Impact (WQI) is B, and the Microbial Pollution Risk(MPR) for this discharge is low. Details: To date there is no evidence to link overflows with bathing water non-compliances. Management If water quality is or is likely to be compromised, bathers will be notified of any potential risks. This Measures: will be done in consultation with the HSE and EPA.

Description: Currently sewage from the village of Rosses Point is conveyed via a combined collection network to a septic tank located to the east of the village, approximately 3km from the bathing area. This tank discharges to the sea via an outfall pipe.

Source: Rosses Point Waste Water Plant Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: Low Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment The risk assessment methodology is as recommended in the EPA Guidance for the Development of Methodology: Bathing Water Profiles published in 2010.

Risk Assessment Water quality at the beach does not appear to be impacted by the discharge from this plant. Results: Using the EPA Guidance referenced above, the discharge is considered a long sea outfall, with preliminary treatment. The microbial pollution potential (MMP) is low. The 95th percentile for intestinal Enterococci for the period 2010-2013 for Rosses Point Bathing Water is 64, therefore the Water Quality Impact (WQI) is B, and the Microbial Pollution Risk(MPR) for this discharge is low. Details: The discharge is considered a long sea outfall, with preliminary treatment. To date the bathing water does not appear to be impacted by this discharge. Management Long Term Measures : An application has been made for funding to construct a combined UWW Measures: scheme for Rosses Point, Cregg, and . The preliminary report has been approved for this plant.

Sligo County Council have applied to the EPA for a UWW discharge licence for this plant (Ref. D0249_01), no decision has been made on this application to date.

Short Term Measures: If water quality is or is likely to be compromised, bathers will be notified of any potential risks. This will be done in consultation with the HSE and EPA.

Description: Section 4 Licence - Seasonal discharge via septic tank, with application to connect directly to the main sewer in Rosses Point Source: Licensed Discharge Type: Industrial discharges Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: Rare Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment The risk assessment methodology is as recommended in the EPA Guidance for the Development of Methodology: Bathing Water Profiles published in 2010.

Risk Assessment Water quality at the beach does not appear to be impacted by this discharge. The discharge is Results: considered a long sea outfall with preliminary treatment, therefore the microbial pollution potential (MMP) is low. The 95th percentile for intestinal Enterococci for the period 2010-2013 for Rosses Point Bathing Water is 171, therefore the Water Quality Impact (WQI) is B, and the Microbial Pollution Risk(MPR) for this discharge is low. Details: Water quality at the beach does not appear to be impacted by this discharge. However following heavy rainfall or in the event of plant failure, there is a potential for discharges which could affect water quality at the beach. Management Long-term Measure: Connect directly to the main sewer in Rosses Point. Measures: Short Term: If water quality is or is likely to be compromised, bathers will be notified of any potential risks. This will be done in consultation with the HSE and EPA.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Monitoring of the beach indicates that this is no significant potential for proliferation of of cyanobacteria: Cyanobacteria at this beach.

Proposed management measures for No significant potential for proliferation of Cyanobacteria at this beach. cyanobacteria:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Monitoring of this beach over the past number of years indicates that there is no significant of macroalgae: potential for proliferation of macroalgae on this beach.

Proposed management measures for In the event of large accumulations of macro algae on this beach, Sligo county Council will assess macroalgae: the situation and consult with the HSE and other relevant authorities if this is considered necessary. Actions if required will include provision of advice and information to the general public, removal of excessive accumulations of macroalgae from the beach. Assessment of risk to workers involved in removal of macroalgae from the beach will also be considered.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Monitoring of this beach over the past number of years indicates that there is no significant of marine phytoplankton: potential for proliferation of marine phytoplankton at this beach.

Proposed management measures for marine No significant potential for proliferation of marine phytoplankton at this beach. phytoplankton: Additional Information: N/A

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Rosses Point Beach Good Good Good Good

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Sligo County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Environment Section, Unit 9, Cleveragh Business Park, Riverside, Sligo Phone: 071 9111900