Floods have caused the sewage pumping station at Seapoint to overflow, writes Frank McDonald, Environment Editor
POLLUTION LEVELS at Seapoint beach in south Co Dublin rose dramatically as a result of overflows at the sewage pumping station in Salthill following recent heavy rainfall.
Between July 29th and August 5th, total coliforms in the water jumped from 109 to 5,700 per 100ml, while the figures recorded for August 11th and August 12th showed an increase from 18 to 3,300.
The maximum limit for total coliforms (bacteria) under the Blue Flag designation for bathing waters is 500 per 100ml, while the national limit is 5,000 and the mandatory EU limit is 10,000 per 100ml.
"We all thought that the new sewage plant at Salthill would solve pollution, but not a few are concerned about the safety of swimming in this delightful spot," said Prof Eoin O'Brien, a leading heart specialist.
Prof O'Brien, who swims off Seapoint beach daily throughout the year, took photographs earlier this month showing an extensive discoloration of the water in the vicinity of the pumping station.
A spokeswoman for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said it would not be unusual for there to be some discoloration of the water due to the operation of the overflow following excessive rainfall.
"We will continue to monitor this and to test water quality on a weekly basis. If a pattern of test results emerges that gives rise to concern for public health, we will immediately inform the public and, if necessary, close the beach."
However, she said such a scenario had not arisen yet, as 15 of the 17 samples from Seapoint tested since the start of the bathing season "have fallen within the very stringent criteria of the Blue Flag scheme".
She said it was also important to note that the water at Seapoint continues to meet all mandatory requirements for safe bathing, with all samples taken falling well below the EU maximum limit.
"Water quality testing results are posted up on the notice board at Seapoint and, at the request of swimmers this season, notification of overflows are also posted up for for public information," she added.
Last year, An Taisce suspended Seapoint's Blue Flag status following an increase in the level of bacteria in the bathing water.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council confirmed that there had been an overflow due to heavy rain at the Salthill sewage pumping station, which pumps sewage to the main treatment plant at Poolbeg.
The most recent bathing water quality results for Seapoint and the other Blue Flag beaches - at Killiney and Sandycove - are posted on the council's website at www.dlrcoco.ie.
Click on the departments tab and then on the link for bathing water quality results.