Five Irish beaches, including Front Strand at Balbriggan, Loughshinny Beach, Sandymount Strand, Lady’s Bay, and Trá na mBan, failed to meet the required Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards due to discharges from wastewater overflows and sewage misconnections.
The EPA reported that 97pc of designated bathing locations met or exceeded the minimum standard, with 77pc rated as ‘excellent’, although there was a slight decrease from 2022.
Heavy rainfall, which can lead to wastewater overflows, increased agricultural run-off, and urban debris washing onto beaches, was cited as a major factor affecting water quality last summer, resulting in more beach closures and pollution incidents.
To address the pollution sources, Uisce Éireann and local authorities are working on upgrades, inspections, and programmes to reduce overflows, misconnections, and wildlife fouling, with the official bathing season in Ireland set to begin on 1 June.
