Agenda item

That this North Central Area Committee calls on the manager to make a statement on the poor water quality at Dollymount where there were 5 poor readings this year so far; say why nothing has improved and when matters will improve and give a timescale to solve the poor water quality and that he make a statement on the matter to include why a red flag was flown for the best part of August despite the fact that there was poor reading in the month of August.

That this North Central Area Committee calls on the manager to make a statement on the poor water quality at Dollymount where there were 5 poor readings this year so far; say why nothing has improved and when matters will improve and give a timescale to solve the poor water quality and that he make a statement on the matter to include why a red flag was flown for the best part of August despite the fact that there was poor reading in the month of August.

Reply

A red flag was flown at Dollymount Beach a total of 35 times this year during the bathing season.  Rationale for flying the red flag at these times include water quality/pollution, sea condition/waves, wind and weather conditions including visibility and Jellyfish.

Contact:         Fergus O’Carroll, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent

Tel:                 222 6625

Email:             parks@dublincity.ie

To provide some background, Dublin City Council has two designated bathing waters, namely Sandymount and Dollymount Strands, which we manage in accordance with our regulatory requirements under the Bathing Waters Regulations 2008. Four additional locations are recognised as other monitored waters including the North Bull Wall, Half Moon, Shelley Banks and Merrion Strand. Bathing waters are monitored on at least 20 occasions during the bathing season and on a fortnightly basis thereafter, regardless of designation.

A review of 28 investigative and scheduled samples taken at Dollymount Strand during the 2023 bathing season identified 2 Poor results and 25 Good or Excellent results. The two Poor results occurred on the 27/07/23 and 01/08/23, resulting in a temporary prohibition raised in consultation with the Health Service Executive.

Given the above information conflicts with that detailed in the Motion, it is believed the motion pertains to the North Bull Wall ‘other monitored water’. A full overview of bathing water quality sample results are available on our website HERE.

At the North Bull Wall, 5 Poor bathing water results were recorded in July 2023. A month recorded by Met Éireann as the wettest on record, recording above average rainfall at every weather station in the country. Furthermore, Met Eireann issued 5 separate rain and thunderstorm warnings for Dublin during the period. See below table extracted from www.met.ie highlighting elevated volume of rain experienced in Dublin in July 2023.

Adverse weather, specifically intense rainfall events have a significant negative effect on bathing water quality. This is due to a variety of contributing factors, however in an urban environment, it is primarily linked to increased storm water runoff from hardstanding areas/roads to waters and the activation of storm water overflows (SWO’s).

The Protection of Water Bodies Office has initiated a number of nature based solution/SUDS projects, which utilise green infrastructure to capture, attenuation and treat storm water runoff. Examples of SUDS include permeable paving, rain gardens and wetlands, which not only provide much needed treatment, but also amenity and biodiversity value. Further information on DCC’s upcoming projects can be found here. Uisce Éireann is the sanitary authority responsible for the management of waste water in Ireland operating under license from the Environmental Protection Agency.

It should be noted that improving bathing water quality at the North Bull Wall is an ongoing task, and due to a number of complex contributing factors, there is no quick fix. Nonetheless, DCC is committed to improving surface and bathing water quality throughout its catchments, and as such continues to prioritise operational activities which target pollution including misconnection inspections, responding to pollution incidents and investigating unauthorised discharges.

Finally, a red flag can be raised at a bathing location for a variety of reasons, not limited to poor water quality. As noted above the water quality at Dollymount was Good to Excellent from all samples taken after the first of August 2023. Bathers are encouraged to discuss raised flags directly with the lifeguard on duty, as the raising of flags is managed by them and a red flag is to indicate Danger – No Swimming. Bathers are also encouraged to adhere to the safety advice provided. Any further queries pertaining to lifeguard management should be directed to the Parks Department. 

Contact:         Emma Finlay, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Water Pollution   Control, Protection of Water Bodies Office

Tel:                  222 2402        

Email:             emma.finlay@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.