Bathing Water

The Bathing Water Directive covers both marine and freshwater areas but does not apply to sites used solely for recreational purposes other than bathing. In Northern Ireland, the bathing season runs from June to mid-September to coincide with the summer weather conditions and school holidays.

Details of bathing water compliance information for Northern Ireland's identified bathing waters can be viewed on the EHS website.

Given both transposition of the Water Framework Directive and the adoption of a revised Bathing Water Directive (see below), the Department reviewed the identification of Northern Ireland's bathing waters in 2006 - a copy of the consultation on the Review of Identification of Northern Ireland Bathing Waters 2006 (832kb) can be downloaded here - following which a further 7 sites were identified, bringing the total to 23.

A full list of identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland can be viewed on the EHS website.

Revised Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) (rBWD)

The quality of bathing water in Northern Ireland hasimproved significantly since transposition of the existing Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EC). However, the legislation itself is some 30 years old and in need of revision. As a result, the rBWD came into force on 24 March 2006.

In summary, the rBWD requires the:

• monitoring, assessment and classification of bathing water quality at inland waters, and coastal and transitional waters;
• development of a system of bathing water profiles as a means of understanding the risks, which can then to be used as a basis for the management of bathing waters;
• undertaking of management measures in the event of specified pollution incidents; and
• provision of appropriate, timely and standardised information to the public on bathing water quality.

DOE consulted on "The Draft Quality of Bathing Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008" between 15th February 2008 and 9th May 2008, a copy of which can be downloaded below, together with a synopsis of the consultee responses received.

The Draft Quality of Bathing Water (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008 (300kb)

Consultee Responses received (32kb)

DOE made The Quality of Bathing Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008 No.231) on 28th May 2008, copies of which can be purchased from The Stationery Office Limited.