Officials have declined to test bathing water quality this month out of fears that results may lead to Galway city’s beaches losing their coveted Blue Flag status.
In response to questions from Councillor John Connolly (FF ), city officials admitted they chose not to sample the waters at city swimming spots before early June or after September 15. Water quality – an integral criterion for a Blue Flag – is measured as an average of samples taken throughout the year.
“If we extend water testing outside the bathing season then we put at risk our Blue Flag status as that is determined by an average of tests results done over a [calendar] year,” said the city’s Director of Services, Patrick Greene. “In the winter, there is less sunlight therefore more bacteria in the water. There’s more rain feeding the Corrib catchment, and that will wash in agricultural elements from Connemara and Mayo,” he said.
City West’s Councillor Connolly said testing should offer information and protection to sea swimmers throughout he year, and that out-of-season sampling should not affect Blue Flag applications.
“I understand this sampling is done at the discretion of the local authority. We should offer people protection throughout the year. This is a public health issue, not a beach classification one,” he said, “Especially as we have crowds out in the sun this week.”
Bathers in Galway were faced with a number of Prior Warning Notices and Prohibition Notices at Ballyloughane Beach, Grattan Beach and Silver Strand during the first half of August. In his monthly report to councillors, City chief executive Leonard Cleary said this was due to poor weather conditions.
