|
|
Bathing WaterIt is essential that Northern Ireland's bathing waters, which are recognised as being an important asset both locally and internationally, are given the protection they deserve and which is required under the European Commission's current and revised Bathing Water Directives. These Directives cover both marine and freshwater bathing areas and, through the application of stringent microbiological standards, require that high water quality standards are achieved and bathers are protected. The Directives do not apply to areas used solely for recreational purposes other than bathing. Northern Ireland's bathing season begins on 1 June and ends at the end of the day on 15 September each year, to coincide with the summer weather conditions and the school holidays. There are 24 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland currently, of which a complete list, together with information on compliance with the current Bathing Water Directive, can be accessed at: www.ni-environment.gov.uk/quality/bathingqualityni.htm It has been, and remains, the Department's practice to review and consult publicly on Northern Ireland's list of identified bathing waters, and in this regard the Department issued a Review of Identification of Northern Ireland Bathing Waters 2006. This document can be downloaded here Review of Identification of Northern Ireland Bathing Waters 2006 (832kb) At the time, that took the total number of identified bathing waters from 16 to 23, which has since been added to with the most recent identification of Portballintrae (Salmon Rock) in June 2008 following both district council and public representations. Within the Review of the Identification of Northern Ireland Bathing Waters 2006 the Department of Environment indicated that it would carry out a further review into the identification of Northern Ireland's Bathing Waters prior to the 2011 Bathing Water Season. In preparation for the review a usage survey was conducted during the 2009 Bathing Season. Bather numbers and numbers of beach users are given in the attached summary of the 2009 Bathing Season usage survey. The left hand column lists 24 currently identified bathing waters followed by 15 candidate beaches that were nominated for investigation for the 2009 season. The survey aimed to visit each candidate beach on 5 (weekend) occasions and each currently identified bathing water on 4 occasions, however, it was not possible to survey some candidate beaches on 5 separate dates. The times, dates and weather conditions were all selected to increase the likelihood of beach users being present in greater numbers. DNS (Did Not Survey) indicates a date on which no survey took place of the particular beach. The usage surveys carried out during the 2009 Bathing Season were to establish if the candidates are beaches where, in words of the Directive, bathing is "traditionally practised by a large number of bathers". For the purposes of Northern Ireland, the "large number" has been set at around 45 bathers. Note that the Directive is concerned with bathers and not with water sports users. From previous usage surveys it has also been derived that where around 100 people are present at a beach it is possible that 45 of them would have the intent to enter the water at some stage therefore the Department also records the total number of beach users (other than those engaged in water sports) and may use this metric if the number of bathers does not achieve the "large number" threshold. The usage surveys will be repeated for the 2010 Bathing Season and both the 2009 and 2010 results will be published as part of a public consultation on Bathing Waters by early 2011. This consultation will make recommendations for which candidate beaches, if any, should be identified as Bathing Waters from the 2011 season onwards. The Department will seek responses to the consultation before making any final determination. Bathing Water Summary Usage Survey Results (29KB) Revised Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC)(rBWD) There is no doubt that the quality of Northern Ireland's bathing waters has improved significantly since transposition of the current Bathing Water Directive, but that legislation is now some 30 years old and in need of revision. This led to the coming into force of the rBWD on 24 March 2006. In summary, the rBWD requires the:
The Department subsequently consulted on "The Draft Quality of Bathing Water (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008" between 15 February 2008 and 9 May 2008. A copy of this document can be downloaded here The Draft Quality of Bathing Water (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008 (300kb) A synopsis of responses received can be viewed here: Consultee Responses received (32kb) The rBWD was transposed into national legislation on 28 May 2008 by "The Quality of Bathing Water (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008" (S.R. 2008 No.231), which can either be purchased from The Stationery Office Limited or viewed here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr2008/nisr_20080231_en_1 A final Regulatory Impact Assessment, in support of these Regulations, can be viewed here final_ria.pdf (684 KB) Public Participation The Department wishes to draw attention to Regulation 6 (Public participation) of the Regulations, and in this regard welcomes comments or complaints from the public on the list of identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland. The Department will consider any representations made by the public for a site to be nominated as a candidate bathing water, so long as it is supported by evidence of usage and is within the scope of the Directive and its transposing Regulations. Any such representations, comments or complaints, or, indeed, requests for further information, should be directed to: Philip McMurray E-mail: Philip.McMurray@doeni.gov.uk |
|
