Bathing Water Profile - Drumnatinny (2016)

Bathing Water: Drumnatinny Bathing Water Code: IENWBWC100_0000_0200 Local Authority: Donegal County Council River Basin District: North Western Monitoring Point: 194472E, 435095N

1. Profile Details:

Profile Id: BWPR00331 Toilets Available: No Year Of Profile: 2016 Car Parking Available: Yes Year Of Identification 1992 Disabled Access: No Version Number: 1 First Aid Available: No Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: Yes Lifesaving Facilities: No

Figure 1: Bathing Water 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and Drumnatinny (Droim na Tine) Beach is located in a rural area on the North Coast of the Donegal, extent: approximately 3 km from the town of Falcarragh. It is located in the Northwestern Atlantic Seaboard Coastal waterbody (NW_100_0000) within the North Western River Basin District. The designated bathing area is approx. 1.317km2 and the extent along the water is approximately is 4250m

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water: Drumnatinny beach consists of a long sandy beach; confined by Ballyness Bay Water: to the West and by Crockagarran and a small series of headlands to the East. The beach is North facing into the Atlantic Ocean and gets a strong wash of water from the rough sea directly onto the beach.

Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone: The beach and catchment make up a large area. The riparian zone is natural with two towns and scattered on-off housing development in the catchment. One of the largest unvegetated sand dune sites in the country occurs here and includes the two Annex I habitats, shifting dunes along the coastline and embryonic shifting dunes. These are backed on the landward side by vegetated dunes, which are vegetated by Marram Grass. Humid dune slacks occur landward of the fixed dunes on the Drumnatinny dune system. The vegetation of this habitat is characterised by grass species including Creeping Bent and Crested Dog’s Tail, and sedge species.

The dune slacks provide feeding habitat for Greenland Whitefronted Geese and Barnacle Geese, and roosting habitat for other waders and wildfowl in bad weather. Long sandy coastal beaches occur on the seaward side of the dune systems.BallynessBayexposes extensive mud flats and sand flats at low tides. These flats have a rich invertebrate fauna and Lugworm casts cover the surface. There are several small Eelgrass beds. The intertidal areas provide important feeding and roosting habitat for wintering and resident seabirds and waterfowl. Permanent water channels, which flow though the bay, represent the estuarine habitat on the site. Other habitats within the site include small areas of saltmarsh, lowland dry grassland, heath, scrub, woodland, bedrock shore, lowland wet grassland, drainage ditch, reedbed and exposed rock. These habitats fringe the bay.

Several rivers and streams also flow into the site. The site is used by over-wintering and resident waders and wildfowl, including Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Whooper Swan, Barnacle Goose, Greenland White-fronted Geese, and Golden Plover which are listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. Other Annex I species recorded in the site include Chough, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Peregrine and Merlin. Grey Plover and Sanderling occur in nationally important numbers. Common Seal and Otter, which are both listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, use the site. The Irish Hare, which is listed as ‘Internationally Important’ in the Irish Red Data Book also use the site.

Water Depth: There is an evenly sloped gradient off the beach getting to a depth of 1m approximately 10m out from the water line.

Tidal Range: The water line within the designated area is approximately 4250 meters. Tidal ranges are in the mesotidal range (2-4m) in normal tidal conditions. Main features of the Bathing Water:

Land Use: Land use immediately surrounding the designated bathing area consists of sand dunes and rural countryside between the beach and the town. Because of the size of the catchment there is a wide variety of land uses in the area. These are categorised below in the Land Use section.

Local Sites of Interest: Drumnatinny is situated approx. 3km from Falcarragh town, which has all the usual modern facilities. Within the catchment are numerous local walks and the Errigal andMuckishMountains, which are a particular tourist attraction for the breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding Donegal. There are a number of historic sites in the area including megalithic tombs, a Church and cross, ballaun stone, holy well, plantation house, promontory fort and a fulacht fia.

Additional Information: Drumnatinny is a surfing beach getting great swell as it is fully exposed to the North Atlantic. Drumnatinny Beach receives the Green Coast Award from An Taisce. This is a symbol of excellence, which recognises; excellent water quality, high environmental standards, good management and community involvement.Green Coast beaches are ideal for those wishing to enjoy a beach experience far removed from the intrusions normally associated with the traditional and more urban seaside beaches.

Activities available at the Facilities: Parking is available at the entrance to the beach. For all other facilities Falcarragh and Bathing Water: Gortahork (3km & 6km) have shops, pubs, hotels, toilets, banks, restaurants, recycling facilities in Falcarragh beside the parish hall and along the Main Street in Gortahork etc. Other facilities are also present at Killahoey Blue Flag Beach (beside Dunfanaghy, 11km drive) such lifeguards (seasonal), car park, toilets (seasonal), information boards, refuse and recycling facilities.

Visitor Numbers: Visitor numbers to the beach vary throughout the season. The maximum number of visitors to the beach during a high season day has been estimated at approximately 200 people with a large proportion if users walking and using the water for surfing and a variety of recreational water sports. Throughout the season approximately 5,000 people have been estimated to visit the beach. Visitor numbers are representative of the visitors observed by the water quality samplers and from local information.

Activities: Activities at Drumnatinny beach include swimming, kayaking, boating, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, power boating and other land based activities on the beach with the majority of users walking along the long shore. A surf school is run from Drumnatinny Beach during the summer months.

Contributing catchment Drumnatinny Beach is located in a rural area near Falcarragh on the North Coast of Donegal facing North details: into the Atlantic Ocean. The beach itself has a large catchment area as there are 3 major river systems and a number of smaller systems and lakes in the catchment.

Contributing Catchment: The contributing catchment of the designated bathing area for Drumnatinny Beach is approximately 129.5km2 in area.

Water Bodies draining to Bathing Area: There are a number of designated river and lake waterbodies within the catchment area for Drumnatinny Beach, including the Tullaghobegley River, Ray River, Lough Agher River, Lough Altan, Lough Feeane and Ballynes Bay.

Land Cover and Land Use:

Topography: The catchment consists of some upland area from the Muckish and Errigal Mountains to the East and South and a large low lying drainage area to Ray River, Tullaghobegley River and Glenna River as well as the smaller rivers of Owentully and Owenawillen. There are a number of lakes in the catchment including Lough Lagha, Lough Agannive, Lough Altan, Lough Aluirg, Lough Agher and Derryreel Lough as well as other smaller lakes. Falcarragh and Gortahork are the main population centres with on-off housing scattered throughout the remainder of the catchment.

Land Use: Land attributed to peat bog accounts for 47%, pastures 22% and sparsely vegetated areas 10%, which accounts for the largest portion of the catchment.

Soils, Subsoils, Bedrock: The catchment bedrock is predominantly comprised of Falcarragh Pelite formation (23%), Lower Ards Quartzite formation (21%) and Sessiagh-Clanmass Formation (13%). The main soil and subsoil types for the catchment area are blanket peat (62%) in both categories as this is by far the most predominant soil type in the area.

Formal Designations: Drumnatinny bathing water catchment contains the Glenveagh National Park Special Protection Area (SPA) (Code 004039),MuckishMountain proposed National Heritage Area (NHA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (Code 001179), the Cloughernagore andGlenveaghNational Park pNHA and SAC (Code 002047), theBallynessBay pNHA and SAC (Code 001090) and the Corveen Bog NHA (Code 001108). The site is also beside the Inishbofin (Donegal) pNHA (Code 000150), the Inishbofin, Inishdooey and Inishbeg SPA (Code 004083), the Horn Head and Rinclevan pNHA and SAC (Code 000147) and the Horn Head to Fanad Head SPA (Code 004194).

Population Centres: The towns of Falcarragh and Gortahork are the nearest centres of population to the beach, but including the larger catchment area, there are approximately 3,747 people throughout the Contributing catchment details:

catchment (CSO. 2011).

Rainfall: The closest weather station to the designated beach is at Malin Head Weather Station (IC 418 575), which is approximately 55km as the crow flies from the beach. During the bathing water season (2013-2015), the average rainfall (mm) for May, June, July, August and September is 108.7, 63.4, 91.7, 99.6 and 40.8 respectively. Details of the rainfall data can be obtained through www.met.ie

Monitoring point details: The monitoring point for this bathing water is located at the grid reference point IB 944 351.

Reason for selection of the The location of the bathing water monitoring point is the location where most bathers are expected to use monitoring point: the bathing water. This area can vary somewhat on this beach depending on tidal and weather influences.

Water quality assessment: The bathing water quality monitoring carried out at Drumnatinney Beach since 2003 has shown consistently good water quality at all times. From the 2010 bathing season, Drumnatinney Beach has achieved good water quality status and complied with the EU guide and mandatory values as set out in the Bathing Water Directive (2006/76/EC) and the Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, 2008 (S.I. 79 OF 2008).

In the four year assessment period from 2012 to 2015, the current classification for this bathing water is Excellent Quality. The 95%ile classification of E. coli and Enterococci are 52.2 and 32.5 respectively. The Drumnatinney Beach bathing water will qualify for a Green Coast Award in 2016 based on water quality. 3. Identified Pressures:

Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment 3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk:

Description: The quarry is located approx 3km from the beach on the Ray River grid reference IB 976 340. It is licensed under Donegal County Council for discharges to water. Donegal Co. Co. samples the discharge twice per year and the licence states that they are to obtain their own monthly monitoring from an independent laboratory. There are settling lagoons to remove suspended solids before discharge. The licence covers pH, suspended solids and aluminium if used. Source: Cassidys Quarry Type: Other Short Term Pressure: No

Description: The Marine Harvest Hatchery is located 7km from Ballyness Bay on the Tullaghobegley River and a further 3km from the beach at grid reference IB 937 261. It is licensed under Donegal County Council for discharges to water. Donegal Co. Co. samples the discharge at intervals throughout the year and the licence states that they are to obtain their own monthly monitoring from an independent laboratory. All waste must be treated in their treatment system before discharge to water. The licence covers pH, suspended solids dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand and a range of nutrients. Source: Marine Harvest Lough Altan Hatchery Type: Industrial discharges Short Term Pressure: No

Description: The quarry is located approx 10km from the beach on the Ray River grid reference IB 977 273. Donegal County Council does not license it for discharges to water. Source: McGee's Quarry Type: Other Short Term Pressure: No

Description: Bird faeces can affect bathing water as it contains high levels of bacteria (much higher than treated human waste).

Source: Seabirds Type: Bird colony Short Term Pressure: No

Description: There is a closed landfill site at grid reference IB 974 275. The landfill site is an old unlined landfill, which has been closed in 2000. Donegal County Council continually monitors the landfill for discharge from the site and into the stream. The landfill site is licensed by the EPA (License No 126/1). Source: Muckish Landfill Site Type: Other Short Term Pressure: No

Description: Approximately 22% of the land use within the catchment is pasture with another 5% being attributed to agricultural and natural vegetation. Source: Agriculture Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: No

Description: There are a significant number of individual houses located throughout the catchment, which all presumably have some form of on-site effluent treatment system. Source: On Site Waste Water Treatment Plants Type: Septic Tank Short Term Pressure: No 3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk:

Description: Heavy rainfall carries an added risk of pollution from surface runoff. Source: Rainfall Type: Rainwater discharges Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: <1/month Duration: < 48 hours Risk Assessment The bathing water vulnerability for short term pollution (STP) events has been examined. The beach Methodology: has been assessed to incorporate the small size of the catchment, the absence of surface water inflows to the beach, and the historical water quality monitoring data over a 10 year period from 2004 to 2013. The STP event was calculated in conjunction with the Information Note on Short Term Pollution (STP) Events specified in the 2008 Bathing Water Quality Regulations (SI No. 79 of 2008) by the OEA Bathing Water Unit 17 May 2013. Risk Assessment Rainfall is not expected to affect the bathing water quality unless there is >20mm of rain in 24hours. Results: Details: Pollution risk is linked to weather systems and rainfall data Management If heavy rain is anticipated, warning notices will be erected on the beach together with incident Measures: notification to the EPA. The public will be informed of the risk, likely duration and nature of the short term pollution, displayed on the beach notice boards.

After a STP event, a sample shall be taken to confirm that the event has passed; if microbiological analysis shows that no contamination was detected, then the event is not considered to be a STP. If necessary, a replacement sample can be taken in accordance with Regulation 7(4), Schedule 2 of S.I. No. 79 of 2008. If the predicted rainfall does not arrive, the warning notices will be taken down.

In the event that bathing water quality is found to be unsatisfactory, the public will be advised of this by way of public notices at the beach and through the lifeguards until the quality has improved to satisfactory standards.

Description: Falcarragh Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) was constructed in 1959. It provides settlement with no further treatment of wastewater from the catchment prior to discharge into Ballyness Bay at grid reference IB 922 322 by an outfall to Ballyness Bay. The P.E. of the agglomeration is 1588. The system has 1 emergency overflow. Falcarragh WWTP has applied for a licence under the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007). Source: Falcarragh Waste Water Treatment Plant Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: not frequent Duration: < 48 hours Risk Assessment Microbial Pollution Potential (MPP) combined with the Water Quality Impact (WQI) grades for Methodology: bathing waters result in the Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) assessment for pollution sources affecting coastal and inland bathing waters.

Risk Assessment The Microbial Pollution Potential for this discharge is Moderate. The Water Quality Impact grade for Results: this bathing water is A, therefore, the Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) Assessment for this discharge is Low. The discharge could be considered to be a long outfall as the discharge point is located approximately 3km from the beach. This result is consistent with the water quality results obtained at Drumnatinny Beach during all recent bathing water quality monitoring.

Details: Due to the location of the outfall and level of treatment at the WWTP there will always be a risk of short-term pollution but this is abated by the fact that the plant discharges into a bay before reaching the beach and there is sufficient time for dilution before any discharge reaches the shore. The bathing water is monitored during the bathing period. Management The inspector routinely inspects the site. In the event of a problem within the plant, measures have Measures: been put in place as described in the Wastewater Discharge License Application Form. Any problems will be examined and rectified as soon as possible. In the event of a discharge bathers shall be notified of potential risk to water quality & advised not to use designated bathing waters by signage at the bathing area and by informing lifeguards on duty until bathing water results prove that any possible incident has passed.

Description: One storm overflow station from the Falcarragh network leading to the Falcarragh Wastewater Treatment Plant enters a tributary of the Ray River at IB 942 325. This would allow for raw sewage to be discharged into the river system that flows out into the middle of Drumnatinny Beach. Source: Storm overflowfrom Falcarragh WWTP Network Type: Other Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: not frequent Duration: < 24 hours Risk Assessment Microbial Pollution Potential (MPP) combined with the Water Quality Impact (WQI) grades for Methodology: bathing waters result in the Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) assessment for pollution sources affecting coastal and inland bathing waters.

Risk Assessment Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment: The discharge from the storm overflow could be considered to Results: be a long outfall as the discharge point is into surface water 3km from the Beach. There is no treatment at the ejectors therefore the Microbial Pollution Potential is Moderate. The 95 percentiles monitoring results is estimated at Water Quality Impact Grade A with a value of 0-40. Therefore, the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment for this discharge is Low. The risk assessment indicates that there is only a small possibility of impacting on the designated bathing area.

Details: Due to the location of the storm overflow there will always be a small risk of short-term pollution. The frequency of an event would be largely based on the frequency of heavy rainfall during the period and could last for the duration of the storm event. The bathing water is continually monitored during the bathing period with the results in Table 1.0 and 2.0 indicating that there is sufficient treatment so that the beach is not adversely affected. Management There is rarely a problem at the site and the water caretakers monitor the site on a regular basis. In Measures: the event of a discharge bathers shall be notified of potential risk to water quality & advised not to use designated bathing waters by signage at the bathing area and by informing lifeguards on duty until bathing water results prove that any possible incident has passed.

Description: Gortahork Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) was constructed in 1976. It provides primary treatment in a horizontal flow settling tank prior to discharge into Ballyness Bay at grid reference IB 914 304. The P.E. of the agglomeration is 424. The system has 1 emergency overflow (IB 911 300) and 1 storm water overflow (IB 914 304), both of which are close to the outlet and pose no further risk than the discharge itself. Gortahork WWTP has a Certificate of Authorisation under the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 684 of 2007). Source: Gortahork Waste Water Treatment Plant Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: not frequent Duration: < 48 hours Risk Assessment Microbial Pollution Potential (MPP) combined with the Water Quality Impact (WQI) grades for Methodology: bathing waters result in the Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) assessment for pollution sources affecting coastal and inland bathing waters. Risk Assessment The Microbial Pollution Potential for this discharge is Moderate. The Water Quality Impact grade for Results: this bathing water is A; therefore, the Microbial Pollution Risk (MPR) Assessment for this discharge is Low. The discharge could be considered to be a long outfall as the discharge point is located approximately 5km from the beach. This result is consistent with the water quality results obtained at Drumnatinny Beach during all recent bathing water quality monitoring. Details: Due to the location of the outfall and level of treatment at the WWTP there will always be a risk of short-term pollution but this is abated by the fact that the plant discharges into a bay before reaching the beach and there is sufficient time for dilution before any discharge reaches the shore. The bathing water is monitored during the bathing period. Management The inspector routinely inspects the site. In the event of a problem within the plant, measures have Measures: been put in place as described in the Wastewater Discharge License Application Form. Any problems will be examined and rectified as soon as possible. In the event of a discharge bathers shall be notified of potential risk to water quality & advised not to use designated bathing waters by signage at the bathing area and by informing lifeguards on duty until bathing water results prove that any possible incident has passed.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation There has been no known incident of cyanobacteria impacting on the Donegal coastline or it’s of cyanobacteria: marine environment. An event of this kind is considered to be extremely unlikely.

Proposed management measures for Nutrient management would be examined in the potential pressures and risk assessments carried cyanobacteria: out on the catchment to calculate and reduce the potential risks. In the event of a problem with cyanobacteria, samples would be taken to determine the levels of chlorophyll. Depending on the concentration found, bathing conditions would be considered in relation to calm weather without surface wave actions lasting for 24 hours or longer and temporary risk signs would be erected for the duration of the climatic conditions. In the instance of high levels of chlorophyll, bathing would be prohibited, signage would be erected for the duration of the bloom and regular sampling and analysis would take place.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Drumnatinny Beach is located on the north coast of Donegal with strong North Atlantic wave of macroalgae: action and the continued monitoring of the beach indicates that there are no significant problems with macroalgae on this beach.

Proposed management measures for In the event of a large volume of macroalgae being washed ashore, it would be left for natural macroalgae: dispersion with the tides if it were not causing a nuisance or health concern. If macroalgae deposits became an issue, it would be removed and disposed of by the local authority.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Marine phytoplankton bloom events have occurred on beaches in County Donegal however none of marine phytoplankton: have been recorded at Drumnatinny Beach to date hence the risk is considered very low. The sea conditions and currents off Drumnatinny Beach would likely assist in the dispersion of any such bloom should one come close to shore in the area.

Proposed management measures for marine If algal blooms develop offshore and their movement can be monitored, attention will be paid to phytoplankton: prevailing winds in the case of the bloom being driven onshore. This will allow for the situation to be monitored closely and action taken accordingly or if necessary. In a serious case in the bathing area, the bloom would be sampled to identify the dominant bloom species. The beach would be closed to the public after consultation with the local authority laboratory and public health professionals. Signage would be erected at access points with an explanation for the closure. Public co-operation would be greatly encouraged.

Additional Information: Information in relation to the quality of the water at each of the 21 designated bathing waters in County Donegal along with their compliance history is available on the EPA’s Bathing Water Website ‘Splash’ available at www.bathingwater.ie.

For information on Blue Flag Beaches please visit www.antaisce.ie.

Information on the Environmental Protection Agency and the work they undertake is available on the EPA website at www.epa.ie.

The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for Marine Research, Technology Development and Innovation and information is available at www.marine.ie.

For information on Donegal County Council and its services please visit www.donegalcoco.ie.

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years: 2012 2013 2014 2015 Drumnatinny Good Quality Good Quality Excellent Excellent Quality Quality

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Donegal County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Central Laboratory, The Kube, Magheranan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Phone: 074 9122787