All Louth beaches achieve excellent water quality status

All bathing spots in Louth have again achieved an Excellent bathing quality status from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In a report released yesterday Templetown, Port lurganboy beach, Clogherhead and Seapoint were all placed in the highest possible category. 

Local authorities monitor and manage bathing waters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assesses water quality information provided by local authorities for the beaches that they manage.

Each year, local authorities take samples of bathing waters just before, and during the bathing water season. In Ireland, the season runs from 1 June to 15 September each year. Each Local Authority determines the season length in their area.

Ireland classifies water quality at beaches and lakes as Excellent, Good, Sufficient or Poor.

Commenting on the national report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said:

“We are happy to bring a positive news story on our bathing water quality for 2024, which is overall very good. Indeed, we have the highest number of “Excellent” classifications for bathing waters since 2014. However, heavy rainfall during another bathing season has emphasised the need to build climate resilience into the management of bathing waters. 

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“Heavy rainfall in the west and north-west last August especially resulted in many beaches being closed to protect swimmers’ health. Local authorities must step up their efforts to improve their understanding of causes of pollution from heavy rainfall and how this impacts beaches. This is also important outside the official bathing water season as more and more people are enjoying outdoor swimming all year round.”