Call for Cork people to help designate bathing locations

People in Cork are being asked to identify areas that are commonly used for swimming to ensure they can be managed properly.

Cork City Council, like other local authorities across the country must have a list of these locations so they can be monitored for safety measures, water quality and their level of use.

City Hall is asking people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to give feedback on whether existing bathing waters designations should be maintained, or whether new areas commonly used for swimming, but not identified at the moment, need to be designated.

Under EU and Irish law bathing waters must be identified and monitored for microbiological water quality standards, while in some cases they’re also where local authorities focus their resources providing lifeguards during the summer season.

People are being asked to assist in choosing which areas need to be classified as bathing areas, and have been asked to consider a number of factors, including: how the area is being used, how many people use the site, what facilities already exist there, how accessible the site is, and to consider any safety issues.

To propose your favourite beach/river etc as a new bathing water site or to comment on an existing site contact waterservices@corkcity.ie Closing date for submissions to Cork City Council is 22 June 2020.