Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced that all 24 of Northern Ireland's identified beaches passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive 76/160/EEC mandatory standards for water quality in 2011.
Speaking in advance of the Second Good Beach Summit, Minister Attwood said, "These are the best results in the last 15 years equalling those achieved in 1996. This is good and improving news for all of our beach users and shows that investment in all areas of water quality management is paying dividends. However, more is needed to be done - particularly with even more demanding EU Directives now on the horizon. That is why I am holding the Second Good Beach Summit to ensure all key players work together."
Twenty of the beaches achieved the higher guideline standards and will be eligible, on water quality criteria, to apply for the Blue Flag award in 2012. The other four beaches still passed the requirement level but at the slightly lower mandatory level.
The comparatively dry weather in August helped coastal water quality but many seaside areas are still vulnerable to avoidable pollution events. The Minister added, "Improvements will have to continue because standards for public health protection are changing. The revised Bathing Waters Directive 2006/7/EC is raising the bar and water quality standards will be even more demanding. By 2015 permitted bacterial levels will reduce by around 50%. Many of our bathing waters already achieve this standard but others will not meet the tighter standards. What I and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland are about is creating a better place to live, work and invest. We need to act now to reduce the risks later."
In June, Minister Attwood hosted the first Good Beach Summit which brought together beach managers, local councils, campaign groups and others to address the issues affecting Northern Ireland beaches and bathing waters. An action plan was drawn up under the four main headings; Improve Water Quality; Improve Beach Cleanliness, Facilities, Management and Signage; Keep Public and Media Better Informed; and Support the Coastal Economy. Delegates at the second Summit will be invited to ratify the action plan and to review early progress towards its implementation.
