EPA Report on Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2017
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Bathing Water Quality in Ireland A report for the year 2017 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting on the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and • Independent reporting to inform decision making by national pollution. and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas: Regulating Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Preparing Ireland’s greenhouse gas inventories and projections. Regulation: We implement effective regulation and environmental • Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, for over 100 of compliance systems to deliver good environmental outcomes and the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland. target those who don’t comply. Knowledge: We provide high quality, targeted and timely Environmental Research and Development environmental data, information and assessment to inform • Funding environmental research to identify pressures, inform decision making at all levels. policy and provide solutions in the areas of climate, water and sustainability. Advocacy: We work with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well protected environment and for sustainable Strategic Environmental Assessment environmental behaviour. • Assessing the impact of proposed plans and programmes on the Irish environment (e.g. major development plans). Our Responsibilities Radiological Protection Licensing • Monitoring radiation levels, assessing exposure of people in We regulate the following activities so that they do not endanger Ireland to ionising radiation. human health or harm the environment: • Assisting in developing national plans for emergencies arising • waste facilities (e.g. landfills, incinerators, waste transfer from nuclear accidents. stations); • Monitoring developments abroad relating to nuclear • large scale industrial activities (e.g. pharmaceutical, cement installations and radiological safety. manufacturing, power plants); • Providing, or overseeing the provision of, specialist radiation • intensive agriculture (e.g. pigs, poultry); protection services. • the contained use and controlled release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); Guidance, Accessible Information and Education • sources of ionising radiation (e.g. x-ray and radiotherapy • Providing advice and guidance to industry and the public on equipment, industrial sources); environmental and radiological protection topics. • large petrol storage facilities; • Providing timely and easily accessible environmental • waste water discharges; information to encourage public participation in environmental • dumping at sea activities. decision-making (e.g. My Local Environment, Radon Maps). • Advising Government on matters relating to radiological safety National Environmental Enforcement and emergency response. • Conducting an annual programme of audits and inspections of • Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management Plan to EPA licensed facilities. prevent and manage hazardous waste. • Overseeing local authorities’ environmental protection responsibilities. Awareness Raising and Behavioural Change • Supervising the supply of drinking water by public water • Generating greater environmental awareness and influencing suppliers. positive behavioural change by supporting businesses, • Working with local authorities and other agencies to tackle communities and householders to become more resource environmental crime by co-ordinating a national enforcement efficient. network, targeting offenders and overseeing remediation. • Promoting radon testing in homes and workplaces and • Enforcing Regulations such as Waste Electrical and Electronic encouraging remediation where necessary. Equipment (WEEE), Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and substances that deplete the ozone layer. Management and structure of the EPA • Prosecuting those who flout environmental law and damage the The EPA is managed by a full time Board, consisting of a Director environment. General and five Directors. The work is carried out across five Offices: Water Management • Office of Environmental Sustainability • Monitoring and reporting on the quality of rivers, lakes, • Office of Environmental Enforcement transitional and coastal waters of Ireland and groundwaters; • Office of Evidence and Assessment measuring water levels and river flows. • Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring • National coordination and oversight of the Water Framework • Office of Communications and Corporate Services Directive. The EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve members • Monitoring and reporting on Bathing Water Quality. who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern and provide advice to the Board. Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2017 Environmental Protection Agency An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Ireland Telephone: +353 53 916 0600 Fax: +353 53 916 0699 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie LoCall: 1890 335 599 © Environmental Protection Agency 2018 Bathing Water Quality in Ireland 2017 Author: Mr. Peter Webster Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this report. However, neither the Environmental Protection Agency, nor the author, accept any responsibility whatsoever for loss or damage occasioned or claimed to have been occasioned, in part or in full, as a consequence of any person acting, or not acting, as a result of a matter contained in this report. You may copy any part of this report without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged. Acknowledgements: The bathing water information in this report and in the EPA online bathing water system beaches.ie (www.beaches.ie) is currently provided by local authorities responsible for monitoring the quality of bathing waters within their functional areas. The collation of data was undertaken by Brigid Flood and Annmarie Tuohy. The report was prepared by Mr. Peter Webster (Senior Scientist, Reporting and Assessment) under the direction of Mr. Andy Fanning (Programme Manager, Evidence and Assessment) within the EPA Office of Evidence and Assessment. Contributions from staff in the EPA’s Office of Evidence Assessment and Office of Environmental Enforcement who assisted in the review of the information used in the compilation of this report, and in the management of the EPA’s Bathing Water data management systems are acknowledged as is the work of local authority staff and their contractors in the sampling and analysis of bathing waters. Thanks go to Orla Hammond (EPA contractor) for the preparation of the Bathing Water Quality maps. Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland ISBN: 078-1-84095-775-4 Cover Image: Keem beach, Achill Island, Co. Mayo 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... 2 Key findings 2017 ................................................................................................................... … 3 Glossary ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………. 4 1 About this report .............................................................................................................. 5 2 Water Quality Assessment ………………………………………………………….................................. 7 2.1 How is overall quality calculated? .……………........…………………………………………………. 8 2.2 Bathing water classification signs …………………………….………….......................... 9 2.3 Other hazards ...………………………..………………………………..……………………………………… 10 3 How good was water quality in 2017? ........................................................................ 12 3.1 Waters vulnerable to pollution ..…….…………………………………………………………………………. 15 4 Dublin Bay in focus ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 5 Who does what ?…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21 5.1 Warning signs and incident management ….………………………………….…………………….. 24 5.2 Interpreting what Poor quality means...……………………………………………..………………… 25 5.3 Management measures for Poor waters ………………………………………….…………………... 26 5.4 The importance of weather …………………………………………………………………………………… 37 6 Summary of Ireland’s Identified bathing waters ……………………….………….……………….. 39 7 Summary of other monitored waters ………………………………………………………………………. 46 Any queries relating to this report or its content should be directed to: Peter Webster Senior Scientist (Bathing Water) Environmental Protection Agency Cork Regional Inspectorate Co. Cork Ireland Tel: 00353 + (0)21 486 0802 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] 2 Key findings 2017 Overall Water Quality 93% (132) of 84.5% (120) 8 beaches 7 beaches 4 beaches our coastal were classed showed some were classed showed an and lake as either deterioration as Poor – five improvement beaches met Excellent or in quality – five of which are in water – all the minimum Good water of which are in in the Dublin from rural or standard of quality the Dublin area area small urban Sufficient areas water quality Classifications are based on 2014 -2017 bathing season data for the microbiological parameters E.coli and Intestinal Enterococci. These faecal bacteria are used as indicator