In a report on bathing water in Ireland in 2020, the EPA found that 142 out of 148 bathing water locations were in line with or exceeded the minimum required standards. Some 111 bathing waters, or 75%, were classified as “excellent”, up from 107 in 2019, while four bathing waters were classified as “poor”, down from five in 2019. Galway County Council and Fingal County Council have taken actions to improve bathing water quality at two bathing locations that were poor in 2019, the EPA said. "We have succeeded in reducing the amount of raw sewage discharged by 50% since Irish Water’s establishment," a spokesman told The Irish Examiner. “Good quality bathing waters are important now more than ever as more people enjoy our natural amenities, and particularly swimming.

Source: Irish Examiner May 12, 2021 05:26 UTC