Wet summer hits Northern Ireland beaches

Over 90% of Northern Ireland’s beaches have met the mandatory standards of the EC Bathing Water Directive, despite the wet summer.

Environment Minister Arlene Foster commented on the results. “As everyone is aware this has been a particulary wet summer with heavy and sustained rainfall occurring in most areas. There is a direct correlation between bathing waters compliance and the frequency and intensity of rainfall events. Wet weather can highlight vulnerabilities in our sewerage systems with the inevitable increase in the number of spills from emergency and combined sewer overflows. The wet weather also causes an increase in agricultural run-off which can cause pollution problems.The Department’s Environment and Heritage Service continues to work closely with Northern Ireland Water (NIW) to address these issues.

“I note that NIW has a major capital works programme in place which is already improving water quality in a number of areas. Major new waste water treatment works have been commissioned to serve the coastal towns of Castlerock, Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart. The new North Down works serving Bangor, Millisle, Groomsport and Donagahdee will be fully operational before the end of the year and will provide tertiary treatment throughout future bathing seasons.

“The Nitrates Action Programme regulations became operational on 1 January this year and require farmers to follow measures including controls on the application and storage of livestock manures. Whilst these measures are primarily aimed at controlling nutrient inputs, they are also expected to contribute to the protection of bathing water quality.”

Notes to Editors:

1.The Bathing Water Directive has been revised by Directive 2006/7/EC of 15 February 2006. Further details on www.ehsni.gov.uk/

2.Further media inquiries to DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003 or out-of-hours call EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 076 9971 5440.