Bathing Water Profile - Keem Beach, (2013)

Bathing Water: Keem Beach, Achill Island Bathing Water Code: IEWEBWC250_0000_0100 Local Authority: Mayo County Council River Basin District: Western Monitoring Point: 56089E, 304134N

1. Profile Details:

Profile Id: BWPR00205 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 Keem beach is located approximately 10km west of Keel village on Achill Island at the end of the R319. extent: Keem beach is a sheltered sandy horseshoe shaped beach facing southeast. It is bordered on both sides by steep cliffs, to the north by the slopes of the Croaghan and to the south by a spar called Moyteoge Head. Keem Beach forms part of Achill Head SAC (Site Code 002268) and the Croaghaun/ SAC and pNHA (Site Code 001955).

The length of the Designated Beach Area (DBA) is approximately 300m and is approximately 0.14km2 in area.

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water Water:

Keem Beach is a sheltered sandy beach facing southeast with a steep gradient. The beach has a stepped valley to the rear which is made up of boulders and stones. Two freshwater streams flow into the sea from the surrounding land at Keem beach.

Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone

Keem Beach is located in a sheltered valley, enclosed by the slopes of Croaghaun Mountain and Moyteoge Head, both of which are largely in their natural state. Immediately above the beach is the public car park. There has been little or no development in this isolated area of Achill Island. Keem Beach and its surrounding hinterland form part of the Croaghaun/Slievemore SAC and pNHA (Site Code 001955). The slopes of Croaghaun Mountain and Moyteoge Head are mainly covered by heath vegetation, and are of ecological interest as they supports a range of rare species of vascular plant and bryophyte. Keem Beach also forms part of Achill Head SAC (Site Code 002268). The site is designated for 3 Annex I habitats under the EU Habitats Directive including large shallow bays and inlets, reefs and mudflats and sandflats not covered at low tide.

Water Depth

The medium water depth and maximum water depth within the designated bathing water would be 0.5m and 5.0m respectively depending on tides.

Tidal Range

In general Keem Beach is Mesotidal with a tidal range of 2-4m, with a maximum of 5.0m during spring tides, based on information for Westport Harbour Tide Tables which is the nearest Standard Port shown on the Irish Tide Tables. Main features of the Bathing Water:

Land Use

The land use adjacent to Keem Beach is grazing. Overgrazing has occurred in places leading to exposed mineral soil. Peat cutting is carried out in some areas.

Sensitive Area

Keem Beach forms part of the Croaghan/Slievemore SAC and pNHA (Site Code 001955) and Achill Head SAC (Site Code 002268). Approximately 10km to the east of Keem Beach is Keel Beach, which is also a Blue Flag Beach. At Keel Beach there is a caravan and camping park, golf course and watersports facilities. Keel Beach also forms part of the Achill Head SAC (Site Code 002268) and the Keel Machair/Menaun Cliffs SAC (Site Code 001513).

Max. number of visitor during a day in high season: 400

Approx number of visitor during the bathing season: 150

Activities available at the The main activities at the beach are swimming and surfing, but the beach is also used by a limited number Bathing Water: for sailing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skies, scuba-diving / snorkeling and fishing.

Contributing catchment Keem Beach is located within the townland of Keem approximately 10km west of Keel village on Achill details: Island, Co. Mayo within the Western River Basin District (WRBD). There are no major river catchments draining to Keem Beach. The beach lies within an overall catchment of over 294km2, as per the 2009 WRBD Catchment Data. The main subcatchments draining to Keem beach are that encompassing Croaghaun Mountain and Moyteoge Head. Water Bodies Draining to Bathing Water There are two small watercourses draining into Keem Beach, one of which rises in Croaghaun Mountain to the north of the beach and one which rises to the west in the townland of Benmore. There is no EPA monitoring data available for either watercourse. The stream rising in Benmore is monitored annually as part of the sampling programme for Keem Beach. Results show elevations in microbiological parameters at times of heavy rainfall.

Topography

Keem Beach is enclosed on either side by steeply sloping hills of Croaghaun Mountain to the north rising to a height of 688m and Moyteoge Head to the south at a height of 198m.

Monitoring point details: The grid reference for the normal bathing water monitoring point is E 056,089 N 304,134. The precise location of the bathing water monitoring point can vary depending on tides and weather influences. Monitoring is also carried out on Keem Stream, grid reference E 055,969 N 304,192.

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. The bathing water monitoring point is always within the area patrolled by the lifeguards which is marked by the lifeguard flags.

Water quality assessment: Overall the water quality monitoring carried out at Keem Beach from 2003 to 2010 achieved good water quality status and complied with the EU Guide and Mandatory Values as set out in the Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, 1992 (S.I. 155 of 1992) and the EC Directive concerning the Quality of Bathing Waters (76/160/EEC).

Since 2011, two microbiological parameters, Escherichia coli and Intestinal entercocci are used for bathing water quality monitoring of identified bathing waters as required under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations, 2008. In 2011, 2012 and 2013 the overall status of Keem Beach was Good.

It is expected that Keem Beach will continue to comply with the minimum required standard of Sufficient water quality in 2014 and subsequent years.

3. Identified Pressures: Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk: Description: Achill Island Central WWTP and Agglomeration is located approximately 2km to the west of Keel village. The WWTP was built in 1991 and consists of inlet works with screening, disintegration and grit removal. The treatment process consists of two aeration tanks followed by two settlement tanks. Sludge is stored in a sludge holding tank prior to dewatering for final removal from site. The WWTP has a design capacity of 4,000 PE but the current input is approximately 2,500 PE. The primary discharge is to the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a storm water overflow at this point. There are 3 No. secondary discharge points, two at Dooagh Strand and one 1.4km upstream of Keel Beach. Achill Island Central WWTP Agglomeration is subject to WWDL D0072-01.

Source: Achill Island Central WWTP and Agglomeration Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No

3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk: Description: Agriculture is the main land use within the catchment of Keem Beach which is located in an isolated area. Much of Keem Head is commonage. Source: Agriculture in the Catchment Area Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: High Risk Frequency: 2/3 per season Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment The lands within the immediate vicinity and wider cathment of Keem beach are classified as being Methodology: of extreme groundwater vulnerability by the GSI. The main agricultural activity in the area is grazing, with overgrazing common, leading to exposed mineral soils. The land surrounding Keem Beach has steep slopes leading to increased run-off following heavy rain. Risk Assessment Due to the nature of the soils in proximity to Keem Beach and as a result of heavy grazing, heavy Results: rainfall events can result in significant elevations in microbiological parameters for Keem Stream. Details: Heavy rainfall events can result in elevations in microbiological parameters for Keem Stream usually of short duration. Bathing water monitoring in 2012 showed one failure (of 16) for Escherichia coli in July following heavy rainfall in combination with higher than average rainfall for the months of June and July. Management Measures: If heavy rain is anticipated warning notices will be erected and notification made to the EPA.

Field studies will be carried out in the lands adjacent to Keem Beach to try and identify any areas which may be impacting of surface water quality from agricultural practices. Any issues identified will be referred to DAFF for inspection.

Regular monitoring during the bathing season of Keem Stream as it enters Keem Beach will be carried out on an annual basis.

3.3 Other Risks:

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

Proposed management measures for N/A cyanobacteria:

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

Proposed management measures for Monitoring of the beach since it attained a Blue Flag Award in 1989 indicates that there is no macroalgae: significant potential for proliferation of Marine Phytoplankton on this beach.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Monitoring of the beach since it attained a Blue Flag Award in 1989 indicates that there is no of marine phytoplankton: significant potential for proliferation of Macroalgae on this beach.

Proposed management measures for marine N/A phytoplankton:

Additional Information: Data was assessed from the following websites, WFD , Western RBD, National Parks and Wildlife, EPA, WFD Hydrotool, Mayo County Council, Central Statistics Office.

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Keem Beach, Achill Island Good Good Good Good

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Mayo County Council Email: [email protected] Address: , Belmullet Area Office, Church Road, Belmullet, Co. Mayo Phone: 097 81004