11 hours ago
Swim bans lifted at Wicklow beaches in time for hottest weekend
All 11 beaches monitored for water quality by Wicklow County Council were put under a warning from Friday last week until Monday, June 16, when tests were taking. Results for these have now been published.
All beaches were given a water quality status of 'excellent' except Wicklow Harbour, which was classed as 'good'.
There are seven swimming areas identified under the Bathing Water Regulations 2008, in the county.
These are: Bray South Promenade, Greystones South Beach, The Cove, Greystones, Silver Strand, Brittas Bay North Beach, Brittas South Beach and Clogga Beach.
The council also monitors six other bathing waters (termed 'non-identified bathing waters') in the county, these are: South of Bray Harbour, Kilcoole Beach, The Murrough Wicklow, Wicklow Harbour Bathing Area, The Cove, Arklow and Arklow South Beach.
The most recent tests, taken on June 16, show the following results for the water quality each of these bathing areas:
Bray South Promenade: Excellent.
Greystones South Beach: Excellent.
The Cove, Greystones: Excellent.
Silver Strand: Excellent.
Brittas Bay North Beach: Excellent.
Brittas South: Excellent.
Clogga Beach: Excellent.
South of Bray Harbour: Excellent.
Kilcoole Beach: Excellent.
The Murrough Wicklow: Excellent.
Wicklow Harbour Bathing Area: Good.
Arklow Cove: Excellent.
Arklow South Beach: Excellent.
The council has advised that warning notices may be issued cautioning against bathing at waters where the local authority, in consultation with the Health Service Executive, believes the water quality may present a risk to bathers' health. Notices will be published on the website and sampling for water quality takes place throughout the summer until September.
