Bathing Water Profile - Courtown, North Beach (2017)

Bathing Water: Courtown, North Beach Bathing Water Code: IESEBWC010_0000_0400 Local Authority: County Council River Basin District: South Eastern Monitoring Point: 320142E, 156616N

1. Profile Details: Amenities Profile Id: BWPR00400 Beach activity zones No Year Of Profile: 2017 Beach Information No board Year Of Identification 1992 Beach Wheelchair No Version Number: 1 Car free zone No

Figure 1: Bathing Water Cars allowed on beach No Cars not allowed on No beach Disability Access Yes Dogs allowed on lead No Dogs not allowed Yes First Aid Yes Lifebuoy at beach No Lifeguarded zone No Litter Bin No Natural Sensitive Area Yes Near Public Transport No Parking Yes Recycling facilities No Toilets Yes 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and Location; extent: Courtown is approximately 7 km South East of town. Courtown Beach is one of Wexford’s most important tourist and amenity areas. The beach is narrow, particularly at its southern end and is made up of fine/medium sand on top of mixed sand/shingle material. The beach is backed by dunes which are generally well vegetated although species are more characteristic of woodland scrub than coastal dunes. Stone toe protection and rock armour now extend for some 750m metres north of Courtown Harbour. Work on the construction of Courtown Harbour commenced in 1828. However the construction work was difficult and the harbour did not come into use until about 1837.

The North Beach has been a firm favourite with tourists for many years and today is extremely popular with families, walkers, water sports and sun seekers. The beach has a borough along side it which contains ideal spots for picnics and lovely woodlands for walking. The South Beach of Courtown is a much smaller beach than the north beach, but is close by so also benefits from the village amenities. It is a quieter and more tranquil beach but is not however suitable for swimming.

Facing the , Courtown Beach is a fine-sand Blue Flag beach (2010) and has extensive coastal protection works all along the boundary between the dunes/woodland and the beach itself. The village of Courtown is located around a harbour and canal system. The beach itself is relatively narrow around the main access points due to ongoing coastal erosion but expands in width the further north you travel.

Extent;

The bathing area is approximately 0.5 km long. The bathing water is approximately 0.1 km2in area.

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water Water: A safe urban fine-sand beach, Courtown North Beach has had Blue Flag status since 2004. The sand type is fine and wind blown. The beach is accessed from ample car parking areas by a wooden ramp walkway with 1 rest point. The beach also has a disabled accessible viewing area.

Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone

The beach is backed by dunes which are generally well vegetated although species are more characteristic of woodland scrub than coastal dunes. There is no significant vegetation growing in the waters off the beach.

Water Depth

The beach is a relatively gently sloping, sandy beach. Main features of the Bathing Water:

Tidal Range

The beach is Microtidal with a tidal range of less than 2m.

Land Use

The land use in the area immediately surrounding the bathing water is National Heritage Area, urban fabric consisting of urban development, private domestic dwellings & holiday accommodation.

The coastal amenities of the area have resulted in the development of the town as a with day-trip and holiday-based functions. There are amusement parks and arcades which offer ten pin bowling, adventure golf and more. There is a leisure centre with its fantastic waterslide. There are also local golf courses, mini farms and horse riding activities.

Sensitive Area

Courtown Dunes and Glen, including the sand dunes and woodland is an area of Local Ecological Importance. This is a large area of mixed woodland located to the west and north of Courtown, Co. Wexford. The western part of the wood lies along the lower part of the Owenavorragh River. The northern part is adjacent to the coast, and this area lies partly on a dune system. The central part of the site has patchy canopy cover and has been recently thinned of conifers. An area in the southeast of the site is characterised by mature pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and occasional sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) with no understorey and a field layer often dominated by bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). The western part of the central area is owned by Coillte and is categorised as conifer woodland and oak-ash-hazel woodland. The long narrow western part of the site that lines the Owenavorragh River is a conifer plantation. In the river floodplain there are field layer species typical of wet conditions including Filipendula ulmaria, Angelica sylvestris and Carex remota. In the eastern section of the site, much of which was recently given to NPWS by Coillte, the dune slack woodland has either a sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) or conifer canopy. The field layer has abundant Phyllitis scolopendrium in places. There are small areas of grey willow (Salix cinerea) scrub in wet patches here. A number of exotic invasive species occur in the site. These include rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and box (Buxus sempervirens).

Ardamine Wood situated on the east coast approximately 3 km south of Courtown. The site consists of a woodland area with associated scrub and heath that slopes down to clay sea cliffs and bedrock shores. The woodland is fairly evenly aged and has a continuous canopy dominated by Oak (Quercus petraea). This site is of interest as it is a good example of broad-leaved woodland with a representative mixture of species and associated scrub.

Visitor Numbers;

The average daily maximum number of persons on the beach during the bathing season is approximately 175

The season maximum number of persons on the beach during the bathing season is approximately 600

Activities available at the Activities; Bathing Water: There is a designated area for jet skis. The beach is also used by a limited number of surfers, windsurfers and canoeists. There is also a slipway for launching and recovery of pleasure craft in the adjacent harbour.

Facilities;

There is a regular bus service and trains from Connolly Station, to Gorey. Courtown and North Wexford are just 45 minutes from Rosslare Europort by car.

There are extensive public car parking spaces, including disabled spaces, available both in the town and adjacent to the beach. Access to the beach is wooden ramp walkway with 1 rest area.

Male, Female and disabled toilets are available in the town and opened all year round.Universal key is required to gain access to the accessible toilets.

There is also a wheelchair accessible viewing area.

Life guards are on duty during summer months.

Contributing catchment Description of the Contributing Catchment: details: Courtown North Beach is located in the townland of Ballinatray Lower (ED Courtown), approximately 7 km south east of Gorey Town in . The beach is situated on the eastern coast of county Wexford in the South Eastern River Basin District. Contributing catchment details:

Contributing Catchment;

The contributing catchment of the bathing area is approximately 165km² in area.

Water Bodies draining to Bathing Area;

There are no water bodies draining to the bathing area.

The Owenavorragh River drains to the bathing area to the north and by canal through Courtown Harbour to the south.

Topography;

The catchment consists of gently sloping hills and valleys with the highest local point being Tara Hill at 253 m.

Land Use;

Land use in the immediate vicinity of Courtown consists of Urban Centre, National Heritage Area, Agriculture, recreational open space and tourism. Courtown acts as a service centre for the surrounding area. It has a limited range of commercial and retail services.

Courtown has a waste water treatment plant which was commissioned in 2002. The treatment plant was upgraded by Irish Water in 2016 and now treats all flows from the Courtown and Gorey areas. The plant is operated by Irish Water and now has a design capacity of 35,000 PE. The plant provides secondary treatment which is discharged to sea by a long outfall pipe.

Soils, Subsoils & Bedrock;

The aquifer is Poorly productive bedrock to the south and Productive fissured bedrock to the north.

The beach area:

Soil type; Aeolian Undifferentiated and beach sands and gravels

Subsoil type; Limestone till (Carboniferous) with matrix of Irish Sea Basin origin

Bedrock; Shale, siltstone, sandstone, minor tuffs

General Catchment Area:

Soil type; Derived from mainly basic parent materials

Subsoil type; Limestone till (Carboniferous) with matrix of Irish Sea Basin origin

Bedrock; Shale, siltstone, sandstone, minor tuffs to the north and Laminated shale & siltstone,

peperite to the south.

Formal designations;

Courtown North Beach held the Blue Flag Award in 2016.

Local Protected Areas

Courtown Dunes and Glen NHA

Ardamine Wood NHA

Ballymoney Strand NHA

Population Centres;

The year round population of the area centred on Courtown Harbour and Ardamine is approximately 1,421 persons. During the summer months increases substantially when the caravan parks and holiday homes are fully occupied

Rainfall;

Gorey G.S. (Closest weather station)

Grid Ref. 315265W 159543N - Distance from beach: 5.5 km - Mean annual rainfall: 996 mm - Month with highest mean: December, 113 mm - Month with lowest mean: July, 54 mm

Johnstown Castle: Contributing catchment details:

Grid Ref. 302420W 116621N - Distance from beach: 43.75 km - Mean annual rainfall: 1060mm - Month with highest mean: October, 122mm - Month with lowest mean: May, 67mm

Monitoring point details: The grid reference for the nominal bathing water monitoring point is 320142W 156616N.

The precise location of the bathing water monitoring point can vary depending on tides & weather influences but is always within the area patrolled by the Lifeguards. This area is marked by the Lifeguards flags.

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 location chosen is always within the area patrolled by the Lifeguards. This area can vary somewhat on this beach depending on tidal & weather influences and is marked by the Lifeguards flags.

Water quality assessment: Bathing Water Quality Results for the 2013 to 2016 Bathing Seasons

In accordance with the Bathing Water Regulations 2008 (S.I. 79 of 2008) Courtown North Beach has achieved Excellent Water Quality Status from 2013 to 2016. 3. Identified Pressures:

Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

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

Description: Diffuse Source; Dog fouling is a source of bacteria that can lead to pollution at beaches. Source: Dog Fouling Type: Domestic animals on beach Short Term Pressure: No

Description: Diffuse Source; Horse fouling is a source of bacteria that can lead to pollution at beaches. Source: Horse Fouling Type: Domestic animals on beach Short Term Pressure: No

3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk:

Description: Diffuse Source; The Owenavarragh River discharges to the sea through Courtown harbour which is approximately 400m south of the identified bathing area and also through its river mouth approximately 500m to the North of the identified bathing area.

Within the catchment, soils are generally poorly draining. The village of treatment plant discharges directly to the river following primary treatment.

There are a significant number of individual houses located throughout the catchment which all presumably have some form of on-site effluent treatment system. The type of agriculture carried out in the area is relatively intensive grassland & tillage farming.

Source: Owenavarragh River Type: Rivers, ditches, canals, groundwaters Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: Infrequent Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment The risk assessment methodology is as recommended in the EPA Guidance for Development of Methodology: Bathing Water Profiles

Risk Assessment The Microbial Pollution Potential is estimated at Moderate based on medium population, medium Results: river flow with primary treatment. The 95 percentiles monitoring result for Intestinal Enterococci is 52 which equates to a Water Quality Impact grade B. Therefore the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment is estimated as Low. This result is consistent with the water quality results obtained at Courtown North Beach during all recent Blue Flag water quality monitoring since 2003.

There is no indication from the water quality analysis carried out on the blue flag beach, that there is any significant pressure on bathing water quality in the identified bathing area caused by the Owenavarragh River discharging to the sea.

Details: Inclement weather and heavy rain fall may cause pollutants to run off from agricultural lands and other areas which may be carried to the coast via the Owenavarragh River. Management Sould an incident occur, Wexford County Council will discuss the situation with the HSE and all Measures: measures recommended and agreed will be implemented. This may include the erection of an "Advice Against Bathing Notice" or a "Warning No Swim Notice" at the beach. The beach Life Guards may also fly the swimming not safe Red Flags at the beach to advise bathers that a "Notice" is in force. All notices will be posted on the Wexford County Council website. The Council ‘Map Alert’ system will be used to inform people in the local area and a press statement will be issued to local radio. Notices will also be posted on the SPLASH website.

Additional bathing water samples will be taken and analaysed monitor the duration and extent of the incident and to confirm the end of the incident.

Wexford County Council will take carry out investigations to ascertain the cause of the incident and implement all recommended measures to minimise the risk of further incidents.

Description: Point Source; The existing Courtown WWTP was commissioned in 2002 and treats all flows from the Courtown drainage scheme area and also treats part of the Gorey wastewater load. It is an extended aeration activated sludge process plant. The plant was upgraded in 2016 to take all flows from the Courtown and Gorey areas; it is operated by Irish Water and now has a design capacity of 35,000 PE. The plant provides secondary treatment which is discharged to sea by a long outfall pipe (330m). The point of discharge is approximately 500m from the nearest point of the identified bathing area.

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

Risk Assessment The Microbial Pollution Potential is estimated at Low when the plant is fully operational or Moderate Results: (long sea outfall) if the plant was not operating at all. The 95 percentiles monitoring result for Intestinal Enterococci is 52 which equates to a Water Quality Impact grade B. Therefore the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment is estimated as Low for both cases. This result is consistent with the water quality results obtained at Courtown North Beach during all recent Blue Flag water quality monitoring since 2003. Details: The Microbial Pollution Potential of the Treatment Plant is estimated at Low when the plant is fully operational or Moderate if the plant was not operating at all. While Courtown Waste Water Treatment Plant is operated and maintained at the highest standard, a break down at the Treatment Plant could cause pollutants to discharge at coast which could affect the bathing area. Management Sould an incident occur, Irish Water/Wexford County Council will discuss the situation with the HSE Measures: and all measures recommended and agreed will be implemented. This may include the erection of an "Advice Against Bathing Notice" or a "Warning No Swim Notice" at the beach. The beach Life Guards may also fly the swimming not safe Red Flags at the beach to advise bathers that a "Notice" is in force. All notices will be posted on the Wexford County Council website. The Council ‘Map Alert’ system will be used to inform people in the local area and a press statement will be issued to local radio. Notices will also be posted on the SPLASH website.

Additional bathing water samples will be taken and analysed to monitor the duration and extent of the incident and to confirm the end of the incident.

Irish Water/Wexford County Council will take carry out investigations to ascertain the cause of the incident and implement all recommended measures, repairs and maintenance to minimise the risk of further incidents.

Description: Point Source; The existing Gorey (WWTP) was commissioned in 1983. It is an extended aeration activated sludge process plant. It is currently at capacity but provides secondary treatment for a population equivalent (PE) of 5000. Excess waste water from Gorey (up to 5000 PE is pumped to Courtown WWTP for treatment and discharge by long sea outfall pipe. Gorey WWTP discharges to the Banogue River which in turn discharges to the Owenavarragh River which discharges to the sea through Courtown harbour which is approximately 400m south of the identified bathing area and also through its river mouth approximately 500m to the North of the identified bathing area. Source: Gorey Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: Infrequent Duration: < 72 hours Risk Assessment The risk assessment methodology is as recommended in the EPA Guidance for Development of Methodology: Bathing Water Profiles.

Risk Assessment The Microbial Pollution Potential is estimated at Low. The 95 percentiles monitoring result for Results: Intestinal Enterococci is 52 which equates to a Water Quality Impact grade B. Therefore the Microbial Pollution Risk Assessment is estimated as Low. This result is consistent with the water quality results obtained at Courtown North Beach during all recent Blue Flag water quality monitoring since 2003. Details: The Microbial Pollution Potential of the Treatment Plant is estimated at Low. While Gorey Waste Water Treatment Plant is operated and maintained at the highest standard, a break down at the Treatment Plant could cause pollutants to discharge at the coast via the Owenavarragh River which could affect the bathing area. Management Sould an incident occur, Wexford County Council will discuss the situation with the HSE and all Measures: measures recommended and agreed will be implemented. This may include the erection of an "Advice Against Bathing Notice" or a "Warning No Swim Notice" at the beach. The beach Life Guards may also fly the swimming not safe Red Flags at the beach to advise bathers that a "Notice" is in force. All notices will be posted on the Wexford County Council website. The Council ‘Map Alert’ system will be used to inform people in the local area and a press statement will be issued to local radio. Notices will also be posted on the SPLASH website.

Additional bathing water samples will be taken and analysed to monitor the duration and extent of the incident and to confirm the end of the incident.

Wexford County Council will take carry out investigations to ascertain the cause of the incident and implement all recommended measures, repairs and maintenance to minimise the risk of further incidents.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Ongoing monitoring of the beach indicates that there is no significant potential for proliferation of of cyanobacteria: Cyanobacteria on this beach. Proposed management measures for If an outbreak were detected then Wexford County Council would determine the concentration cyanobacteria: and extent of the proliferation, monitor the bathing area and react accordingly.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Ongoing monitoring of the beach indicates that there is no significant potential for proliferation of of macroalgae: Macroalgae on this beach.

Proposed management measures for If an outbreak were detected then Wexford County Council would determine the concentration macroalgae: and extent of the proliferation, monitor the bathing area and react accordingly.

Assessment of the potential for proliferation There have been approximately 5 reports of proliferations of Marine Phytoplankton over the last of marine phytoplankton: ten years or so. Following a report of a slick and some foaming in the the sea waters in the area in May 2010 and June 2013 samples were taken for analysis. The samples contained a bloom of Phaeocystis globosa/pouchettii at moderate levels. This species is known to discolour sea water and result in foaming. It is also very typical of the early summer phytoplankton flora in coastal regions across Europe. A unique attribute of Phaeocystis is its ability to form a floating colony with hundreds of cells embedded in a polysaccharide gel marix that can multiply massively during blooms. This can in some cases result in a slick like appearance on the surface of the water and is also responsible for the production of foaming.

There are no reports of adverse affects other than aesthetic regarding impact on bathing waters. This is mainly due to the production in some cases of excessive foam, murky water and sometimes the production of noxious odours when dense blooms are breaking down. The blooms usually disappear within a week or so in Irish waters and this breakdown is as sudden as their appearance.

Proposed management measures for marine If an outbreak were detected then Wexford County Council would determine the concentration phytoplankton: and extent of the proliferation, monitor the bathing area and react accordingly.

Additional Information: None

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2013 2014 2015 2016 Courtown, North Beach Good Quality Excellent Excellent Excellent Quality Quality Quality

5 Contact Details:

Contact: Wexford County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Wexford County Council, Bathing Water, Carricklawn, Wexford Phone: 053 9196313