Swimming ban lifted at north Dublin beaches

A swimming ban at Burrow Beach in Sutton and South Strand beach at Skerries has been lifted after water samples from the beaches met the standard for "excellent" water quality.

Fingal County Council said on Friday night that the bathing ban at the two north Dublin beaches, which coincided with the hottest week of the year, had been lifted following testing at both sites. The "Do Not Swim" notice for Burrow Beach was issued due to water pollution, while swimmers had been warned to stay out of the water at South Strand in Skerries after tests found E.coli levels were higher than the acceptable limit.

The Skerries warning was on Wednesday then elevated to a “Do Not Swim” notice.

The advice against entering the water had initially been in place for 72 hours, but was subsequently extended until Friday.

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At both beaches the bacteria has been attributed to “the impact of animals and birds as well as contamination of urban surface waters”, the council said.

“Higher levels of bacteria are usually short-lived and most bathers are unlikely to experience any illness,” it said.

During the week, people visiting South Strand had been advised to avoid swallowing or splashing water, to wash their hands before handling food, to avoid swimming with an open cut or wound, and to avoid swimming if they were pregnant or had a weakened immune system.

The next scheduled seawater sampling date will take place on Tuesday, August 3rd.