Swimmers in the dark over Clare’s water quality in winter

MONITORING of water quality in popular bathing areas needs to be extended outside the official bathing season to protect the increasing number of people who are swimming throughout the year.

That’s according to Councillor Cillian Murphy, who was informed at a recent HSE West Forum meeting that five swimming ban notices were issued in local bathing areas from June to September this year.

The Kilkee Councillor expressed concern that swimmers have no idea about the standard of water quality outside the bathing season.

If monitoring was extended throughout the year, the HSE West Forum member said people would have the benefit of getting a good picture of what water quality is like at different times of the year.

He said that once a public notice is issued about a problem with the quality of bathing water, this should be followed up with an investigation and identification of the possible source and solutions.

This is important, he stressed, in view of the fact there are between 20 to 25 swimmers in Kilkee and a similar number in Spanish Point swimming every day.

Examples of bathing ban notices in Clare were provided to illustrate the point.

A ban notice was erected in Cappagh on June 15 and removed on June 17, in Kilkee from September 4 to September 7 and from September 11 to September 12, Ballycuggeran from August 31 to September 9.

The swimming ban introduced in Mountshannon on August 31 was still in place at the time of drafting the official reply on September 12.

A bathing advisory notices was erected in Lahinch on August 3 and was removed on August 5.

Responding to questions from Councillor Murphy, the Clare Environmental Health Officer confirmed under an EC directive the local authority has to promptly notify the EPA and the Health Service
Executive of any situation that has, or could reasonably be expected to have, an adverse impact on bathing water quality and on the health of bathers.

The HSE’s Environmental Health Services and Departments of Public Health may be required to give advice to local authorities on bathing water quality with respect to incidents of microbiological pollution and/or other adverse circumstances.

However, the health officer stressed it is primarily the decision and responsibility of the local authority to advise the public of bathing water incidents and related bathing water advice and prohibitions.

The HSE ensures that there is a measured and consistent approach when such consultations arise to provide the most effective health protective response.

The initial point of contact from Clare County Council is the Principal Environmental Health Officer or their delegate. The Principal Environmental Health Officer consults with the HSE Public Health Department before issuing appropriate advice.

The Principal Environmental Health Officer post is currently filled in a permanent capacity in HSE Clare.