Three popular Dublin beaches have had bathing restrictions introduced due to a high level of bacteria and overall poor water quality.
The three beaches are Seapoint, Balbriggan, Front Strand Beach and Merrion Strand.
Pregnant women, in particular, have been warned not to swim in one south Dublin beach.
For the latest bathing restrictions, head on over to beaches.ie.
Seapoint
Bathers are advised to avoid these waters due to an increase in the level of bacteria due to heavy and thundery downpours.
To avoid the risk of serious illness, bathers are advised to:
- Avoid swallowing or splashing water
- Wash your hands before handling food
- Avoid swimming with an open cut or wound
- Avoid swimming if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.
Balbriggan Front Strand
Balbriggan, Front Strand beach continues to have a warning against bathing with the advice remaining in place for the entirety of the 2021 bathing season.
The reason for the restriction is that the water was deemed to be of "poor quality" following the 2020 bathing season.
Merrion Strand
Like Front Strand, Merrion was deemed to have "poor water quality" following the 2016-2019 assessment period. According to beaches.ie: "2019 will be the fifth consecutive year Merrion Strand has had a Poor Water Quality rating and therefore must be declassified in accordance with the Bathing Water Regulations, SI 79 of 2008. A permanent bathing prohibition will be put in place at this location."
The most recent sample taken at Merrion was on September 7. The quality of the water was deemed to be "excellent" with an ecoli rating of 75, compared with 1046 on September 3.
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