Report highlights summer water quality at Mid and East Antrim beaches

Drains Bay on the Antrim coast

A report on bathing water quality at Mid and East Antrim beaches during the summer was presented to the Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Tuesday evening.

Findings showed that following water quality testing on July 29, swimming was temporarily advised against at Portmuck, Islandmagee, due to faecal pollution.

Committee members were told this can arise from sewage outfalls, combined sewer overflows, or agricultural sources.

Testing is carried out during the bathing season (June 1 – September 15). Sites are classified into one of four categories—excellent, good, sufficient, and poor—based on research by the World Health Organisation.

In a social media post on July 30, the Council stated it had been notified by DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) that the recent bathing water sample at Portmuck had failed to meet standards.

It stated at the time:

“People are advised not to enter the water until such times as levels return to acceptable standards.”

An update the following day confirmed that a further sample met the bathing water standards for faecal indicator bacteria.

The Council added:

“As always, we advise extra caution when swimming for 48 hours after heavy rain due to the risk of contamination. Good hygiene is always recommended, such as washing hands and face and trying not to ingest sea water.”

When a sample was tested again on August 8, the water quality was classified as “excellent.” Sea water was tested on the East Antrim coast once in May, seven times in June, and five times each in July and August, with two final tests in September.

Testing is carried out by DAERA’s Marine and Fisheries Division.

Water quality at Drains Bay was rated as “sufficient” on July 29, “good” on June 24 and August 11, and “excellent” in other tests. Brown’s Bay in Islandmagee was rated “sufficient” on June 24 and “excellent” otherwise.

Water quality was rated “excellent” throughout the summer testing schedule at Carnlough and Ballygally.

A report to the committee indicated that a review of bathing waters in Northern Ireland was carried out by DAERA in 2022. At the time, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council nominated the inclusion of Portmuck and Fisherman’s Quay in Carrickfergus, while Drains Bay was proposed by the community. The bid for Fisherman’s Quay was unsuccessful.

Weekly results must be displayed at the beaches involved.