Better News On Water Quality For Down's Beaches

[caption id="attachment_24390" align="alignleft" width="267" caption="The race is on to sort out the water quality on Newcastle beach before it impacts on the local tourist trade. "][/caption] Down District SDLP Councillor Carmel O’Boyle said, “This is good news for Newcastle but we must do what we can to prevent water quality from degrading further. We had a dry spell recently and this helped prevent pollutants from being flushed down our rivers and out to sea. “Local politicians are working closely to ensure that the statutory agencies are doing all they can to ensuree that the new Water Treatment Works moves ahead as quickly as possible in Newcastle. We will continue to keep an eye on this situation and work towards achieving Blue Flag status once again.” Speaking in advance of the Second Good Beach Summit today, Minister Attwood said, “These are the best results in the last 15 years equalling those achieved in 1996.This is good and improving news for all of our beach users and shows that investment in all areas of water quality management is paying dividends. However, more is needed to be done – particularly with even more demanding EU directives now on the horizon. “That is why I am holding the Second Good Beach Summit to ensure all key players work together.” Twenty of the beaches achieved the higher guideline standards and will be eligible, on water quality criteria, to apply for the Blue Flag award in 2012. The other four beaches still passed the requirement level but at the slightly lower mandatory level. The comparatively dry weather in August helped coastal water quality but many of our seaside areas are still vulnerable to avoidable pollution events. The Minister added, “Improvements will have to continue because standards for public health protection are changing. The revised Bathing Waters Directive is raising the bar and water quality standards will be even more demanding. By 2015 permitted bacterial levels will reduce by around 50%. Many of our bathing waters already achieve this standard but others will not meet the tighter standards. What I and DOE are about is creating a better place to live work and invest. We need to act now to reduce the risks later.” In June Minister Attwood hosted a Good Beach Summit which brought together beach managers, local councils, campaign groups and others to address the issues affecting our beaches and bathing waters. Alliance Down Councillor  Patrick Clarke also commented on the news saying, “The latest tests have given Murlough beach a clean bill of health with 18 excellent readings out of 20 and will be eligible, on water quality criteria, to apply for the Blue Flag award in 2012.” [caption id="attachment_25528" align="alignright" width="300" caption=" Newcastle water quality have improved giving hope that one day the Blue Flag status can be achieved."][/caption] “This is excellent news that Murlough beach has passed these tests. Many tourists have stated that our beaches have made Northern Ireland a very attractive place to visit. We should be doing all we can to make sure we continue to have the some of the cleanest beaches possible.” “Hopefully Newcastle beach bathing water can also in the future be able to achieve excellent status similar to Murlough which would enable to apply for Blue Flag status, this is something which as a local Councillor for Newcastle I am very deeply committed to working towards.” An Action Plan was drawn up under the four main headings; Improve Water Quality; Improve Beach Cleanliness, Facilities, Management and Signage; Keep Public and Media Better Informed; and Support the Coastal Economy and delegates at today’s Summit will be invited to ratify the Action Plan and to review early progress towards its implementation. With increased representation from coastal community groups and beach user groups, it is intended that coastal protection efforts will be better integrated. The Minister added, “Government Departments and Agencies must work more closely with local councils and other beach managers to deliver higher standards at all of our coastal destinations. “We have a wonderful coastline which must be protected for everyone’s enjoyment. Whether you walk or swim, surf or sunbathe, bird watch or picnic, the coast should be a great day out for everyone.” http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/water/quality/bathingqualityni.htm http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/water-home/quality/bathingqualityni.htm]]>