‘Excellent’ water quality at North Coast beaches
Results show 25 of the 33 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland have achieved the excellent standard, with Minister Andrew Muir praising the efforts of those involved in maintaining the high quality.
Water quality over the summer at all nine of the North Coast’s main bathing beaches has been declared ‘excellent.’
Every year between 1 June and 15 September, environment officials collect regular samples from beaches designated as identified bathing waters.
Results published last week by the Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) show Benone, Downhill, Castlerock, Portstewart, Portrush West & East, Whiterocks, Portballintrae and Ballycastle all achieved the excellent standard.
Of the remaining bathing waters in Causeway Coast and Glens, Cushendall was also ranked ‘excellent’ while Waterfoot managed the ‘good’ standard.
Across Northern Ireland, 25 of the 33 identified bathing waters achieving the excellent standard.
Speaking as the results were announced, Environment Minister Andrew Muir said: “At a time when there is rightly considerable concern about water quality, I am delighted to announce that 25 of our 33 bathing waters have achieved the Excellent standard.
“This is the highest number of sites at Excellent that we have ever recorded.”
Three are classified as ‘Sufficient’ and one site at Rea’s Wood, Antrim has failed to meet the minimum standard for the second consecutive year.
Read the full story in this week’s Northern Constitution.