This article is from page 8 of the 2011-06-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
CLARE County Council may seek to de-list Ballyalla as a bathing area due to an ongoing failure to meet “stringent” European water quality standards.
A report by David Timlin, Director of Services at the Council’s environment section, outlined the background to water testing in Ballyalla over the past five years. He said that Ballyalla did not see a significant amount of bathers up to and including the 1980s. Mr Timlin states that the area is now being primarily used for walking and general amenity.
He explained, “One of the critical elements of the EC Bathing water quality regulations 2008 is that areas should be designated on the basis of the numbers of bathers in the area.”
He continued, “Unfortunately there was little consideration of the history of bacteriological water quality at the bathing area prior to the designation. After its designation, monitoring of the waters at the Ballyalla bathing area was undertaken during the May to September period annually. It was frequently found that the bathing water quality did not meet the standards set out in the EC Quality if Bathing Waters regulations 1992.”
Mr Timlin said the failure to meet standards is “likely to be due to the frequent use of the slipway for feeding birds”.
He added, “The slipway is adjacent to the bathing area. The two activities are not compatible from a public health perspective and the bathing water monitoring data is testament to this.”
He said the situation at Ballyalla is often exacerbated by poor weather. The report states that since 2005, Clare County Council have erected signs in Ballyalla warning of the unsuitability of the waters for bathing.”
The reports adds that the bathing area in Ballyalla has been classified as “poor” status in recent years.
Mr Timlin explained, “It is considered unlikely in the context of the juxtaposition of the slipway and local bird life that the bathing area at this location will meet the 2008 standards.”
He continued, “Monitoring will be undertaken in the 2011 season, but failure to reach the necessary standards is likely to result in an application for delisting of the area as a bathing area.”
The report was compiled in response to a motion submitted by Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) to the June meeting of Ennis Town Council.
Cllr Meaney told the meeting that he “was not happy” that Ballyalla is still being assessed as a bathing area.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said money should be put aside for the overall development of Ballyalla as motorhome and camping area.