Bathing Water Quality in Ireland
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Bathing Water Quality In Ireland A Report For The Year 2014 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for on the Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting for Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. people and the environment from the harmful effects of • Independent reporting to inform decision making by radiation and pollution. national and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the The work of the EPA can be State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). 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 compliance systems to deliver good • Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, for over 100 environmental outcomes and target those who don’t comply. of the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland. Knowledge: We provide high quality, targeted Environmental Research and Development and timely environmental data, information and • Funding environmental research to identify pressures, assessment to inform decision making at all levels. inform 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 Strategic Environmental Assessment and for sustainable environmental behaviour. • Assessing the impact of proposed plans and programmes on Our Responsibilities the Irish environment (e.g. major development plans). Radiological Protection Licensing • Monitoring radiation levels, assessing exposure of people in We regulate the following activities so that they do not Ireland to ionising radiation. endanger human health or harm the environment: • Assisting in developing national plans for emergencies arising • waste facilities (e.g. landfills, incinerators, waste transfer stations); from nuclear accidents. • large scale industrial activities (e.g. pharmaceutical, cement • Monitoring developments abroad relating to nuclear installations manufacturing, power plants); and radiological safety. • intensive agriculture (e.g. pigs, poultry); • Providing, or overseeing the provision of, specialist radiation • the contained use and controlled release of Genetically protection services. Modified Organisms (GMOs); • sources of ionising radiation (e.g. x-ray and radiotherapy Guidance, Accessible Information and Education equipment, industrial sources); • Providing advice and guidance to industry and the public on • large petrol storage facilities; environmental and radiological protection topics. • waste water discharges; • Providing timely and easily accessible environmental information to encourage public participation in environmental • dumping at sea activities. decision-making (e.g. My Local Environment, Radon Maps). National Environmental Enforcement • Advising Government on matters relating to radiological safety and emergency response. • Conducting an annual programme of audits and inspections of EPA licensed facilities. • Developing a National Hazardous Waste Management Plan to 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 communities and householders to become more resource to tackle environmental crime by co-ordinating a efficient. national enforcement network, targeting offenders and • Promoting radon testing in homes and workplaces and overseeing remediation. encouraging remediation where necessary. • Enforcing Regulations such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Restriction of Hazardous Management and structure of the EPA Substances (RoHS) and substances that deplete the The EPA is managed by a full time Board, consisting of a Director ozone layer. General and five Directors. The work is carried out across five • Prosecuting those who flout environmental law and damage Offices: the environment. • Office of Climate, Licensing and Resource Use Water Management • Office of Environmental Enforcement • Monitoring and reporting on the quality of rivers, lakes, • Office of Environmental Assessment transitional and coastal waters of Ireland and groundwaters; • Office of Radiological Protection measuring water levels and river flows. • Office of Communications and Corporate Services • National coordination and oversight of the Water The EPA is assisted by an Advisory Committee of twelve Framework Directive. members who meet regularly to discuss issues of concern and • Monitoring and reporting on Bathing Water Quality. provide advice to the Board. Report on Bathing Water Quality for 2014 Environmental Protection Agency An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford, Ireland Telephone: +353 53 9160600 Fax: +353 53 9160699 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie LoCall: 1890 335599 © Environmental Protection Agency 2015 Report on Bathing Water Quality 2014 Authors: Mr. Peter Webster, Dr. Micheal Lehane Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material contained in this publication however neither the Environmental Protection Agency, nor the authors, 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 refraining from acting, as a result of a matter contained in this publication. All or part of this publication may be reproduced without further permission, provided the source is acknowledged. Acknowledgements: The bathing water information contained in this overview report and the EPA online bathing water system Splash (splash.epa.ie) is provided by eighteen local authorities responsible for monitoring the quality of identified bathing waters within their functional areas. The collation of data was undertaken by Brigid Flood and Annmarie Tuohy and the report was prepared by Mr. Peter Webster (Senior Scientist, Reporting & Assessment) under the direction of Dr Micheál Lehane, (Programme Manager, Environmental Monitoring & Assessment) within the Office of Environmental Assessment. The contributions from staff in the EPA’s Office of Environmental 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 is acknowledged. Thanks go to Padraig Fitzmaurice for the preparation of the Bathing Water Quality maps. Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland ISBN: 978-1-84095-592-7 Web Only Cover Image: Rossbeigh Beach, Co. Kerry © Cian O’Mahony (EPA), used with permission. Table of Contents Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... i Key Findings 2014 ................................................................................................................. ii 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 Improving bathing water quality ................................................................................... 2 2.1 Who does what .......................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Sources of pollution ................................................................................................. 5 2.3 What we measure and why ...................................................................................... 4 2.4 New water quality classifications ………………………………………………………. 6 2.5 How did we do? …………………………………………………………………........... 7 2.6 How do I know what the results mean? ………………………………………………. 8 2.7 Incident management and New Signs ……………………………………………….. 8 2.8 Public participation …………………………………………………………………….. 10 2.9 Poor quality Waters …………………………………………………………………….. 10 2.10 Examples of warning notices ………………………………………………………….. 13 2.11 Sources of further information ………………………………………………………... 15 3 Summary of Ireland’s identified bathing waters ...................................................... 16 4 Summary of other monitored waters ……………………………………………………. 21 Any queries relating to this report or its content should be directed to: Peter Webster Senior Scientist (Reporting & Assessment) Environmental Protection Agency Cork Regional Inspectorate Co. Cork Ireland Tel: 00353+(0)21 486 0802 Email: [email protected] Or alternatively email [email protected] i Key Findings of 2014 • 118 (86.8%) of Ireland’s 136 identified Bathing bathing waters were classed as being Water of either ‘Excellent ‘or ‘Good’ quality Quality • 128 (94.1%) of Ireland’s identified in Ireland bathing waters met the minimum standard of ‘Sufficient’ quality • 7 waters (5.2%) failed to meet the minimum required standard • 1 new bathing water was identified • 48 pollution events were notified in 2014 • 15 of the 136 bathing waters (11%) were Pollution affected by bathing restrictions during the Notification 2014 bathing season • Restrictions