HEAVY rainfall is likely to be the reason for poor water quality for bathing in Newcastle earlier this month. And with climate change, such episodes appear set to become more common. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has said it is likely further bathing water closures may occur after heavy rainfall. The department has provided an update following the recent poor quality bathing water notice in Newcastle, which explains why bathing was not advised for a second time in less than a month. On Saturday July 8, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council posted notifications online that bathing was not advised because of poor water quality. DAERA, who oversee water quality for the district council, was asked why the warning was issued. In a statement a spokesperson for DAERA said the bathing water quality at Newcastle “is known to be highly variable”. “Water quality is most often impacted by heavy rainfall,” the spokesperson added. “We believe this was the likely case for the recent failure (on July 8); increased microbial levels were also reported for a number of other bathing waters on the south Down coast. “Extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall following extended dry spells can affect the water quality of our surface waters; these have become increasingly common with climate change. “It is likely that future bathing water closures may occur following heavy rainfall events.” DAERA regularly monitors the bathing waters in Northern Ireland and assesses them following the microbial standards set by The Quality of Bathing Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (legislation.gov.uk). Water samples are regularly tested for the faecal indicator organisms Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Intestinal enterococci (IE). DAERA explained how it was led to advise Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to post the advice not to bathe on Saturday the 8 July. The statement added: “The results of samples collected at Newcastle on Friday 7 July failed to meet the required E. coli standard and as a result, a ‘poor bathing quality notice’ was issued on Saturday 8 July. “A pollution investigation was initiated to find a possible source of contamination and an immediate bathing water re-sample arranged. “Pollution investigations found no visible source of pollution and the results of the re-sample, collected on Saturday 8 July, were found to meet the required standards. “The Bathing Water Operator (in this case Newry, Mourne and Down District Council) was advised on Sunday 9 July that the notice could be removed.” The incident was the second in less than a month. On Saturday 17 June the district council erected posters warning bathers in Newcastle that the level of bacteria in the water had elevated and that bathing was not advised. They removed the warning on Sunday 18 June, when levels had dropped to a safe level. On that occasion no reason was officially given but sea swimmers in Newcastle told the Mourne Observer they believed the explanation was heavy rainfall in the previous days. DAERA, in last week’s statement, explained that they are looking into addressing the situation. “DAERA is working closely with researchers in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to better understand the factors impacting bathing water quality. “AFBI, with DAERA, is also continuing the development of predictive bathing water quality models, under the Swim NI (keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org) programme, with predictions available to the public during the bathing season. “This model is currently in the pilot stage and daily water quality predictions are based on forecasted weather. “Results are updated daily at 09:00. The predictions can be found on electronic signage displayed at the bathing water, managed by the Bathing Water Operator and on the Swim NI webpage and app. “This system provides members of the public with a warning when there may be poor water quality brought about by weather and tidal conditions, enabling them to make an informed choice about bathing. “As weather forecasts are not always accurate, DAERA advice remains not to bathe during or up to 48 hours after prolonged or heavy rain.” Further information on the Newcastle bathing water, possible sources of contamination and how they can be mitigated against can be found at the Bathing Water Profile Newcastle Bathing Water Profile 2022 (daera-ni.gov.uk). While the link says this is the 2022 profile DAERA has confirmed it is in fact the most up to date, 2023, version.
