A swimming ban that came into place over the weekend remains on Sandymount Strand until at least Wednesday.
The ban was placed on two Dublin beaches last Friday evening after heavy rain washed sewage ashore. Following the return of results the ban has now been lifted on Dollymount Strand but still remains in place at Sandymount.
Dublin City Council Spokesperson said “Following laboratory analysis results for the bathing water sample taken on Friday 9th June, the temporary bathing prohibition will remain in place for Sandymount Strand. A further sample was taken yesterday and another is due to be taken today, as part of this season’s schedule, with results for both rounds of samples being available on Wednesday 14th June.”
The Green Party said that urgent action must be taken to address issues with Dublin’s waste water treatment systems. Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD said: “Water quality failures threaten public health, tourism and the environment. Bathers are at risk of skin irritation and illness if exposed to pollution in these areas. Tourism is a huge driver of the economy in coastal areas, and must be protected. The Government must show greater urgency in tackling the problem of water quality.
Green Party Donna Cooney said: “This is of major concern and needs to be fixed, we can’t risk having sewage in our bathing water whenever there is heavy rain. I, like many Dubs, swim regularly in the sea. Warm weather is set to return on Wednesday, and we fear tourism could be negatively affected by these water quality issues.
“Flash flooding is becoming more common and unpredictable as the weather associated with the effects of climate change. Our sewage and drainage systems need to be ungraded extensively to deal with this reality. Bathers, the local economy and the local environment will suffer if we don’t.”