CLARE County Council has issued an update today (Saturday, August 1) raising its alert level for Lahinch beach to a swimming ban.
Temporary bans remain in place, until further notice, on five other beaches.
In a statement, the council said that following ongoing monitoring of the bathing waters at Lahinch, the notice has been upgraded from advisory not to swim to swimming prohibition as a result of increased bacterial levels.
There is now a temporary prohibition on swimming at the following locations in County Clare due to elevated bacterial levels in the water:
• Lahinch
• Spanish Point
• White Strand Miltown Malbay
• Kilkee
• Quilty (front beach).
The elevated bacterial levels are as a result of heavy rainfall in the catchment area which subsequently discharges into or near the bathing area.
There is ongoing monitoring at the above locations, and Clare County Council is in consultation with the HSE.
For further information, contact Clare County Council environment section on (065) 6846331 / enviroff@clarecoco.ie and visit www.beaches.ie