Public warned not to swim at two West Cork beaches due to poor water quality

‘Do not swim’ notices have been issued for two West Cork beaches due to high levels of bacteria in the water.

On Tuesday, Cork County Council posted on social media that “due to high levels of bacteria in the bathing water, in the interest of public health, an Advisory Notice (Not to Swim) has been issued for Owenahincha Beach, in consultation with the HSE”.

It added: “Further microbiological tests are being carried out today and in the coming days.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advised that there are current swim restrictions at Owenahincha due to pollution, advising against bathing. 

Advised

It advised that “water quality deteriorated due to suspected agricultural activities/runoff” and that the expected duration of the restriction is five days.

It follows another notice issued by Cork County Council on Monday for the nearby Warren Beach, with further microbiological tests also being carried over the coming days. This is the second ‘do not swim’ notice for this beach, which was closed to swimmers earlier in the summer due to water quality.

There have been ongoing issues with pollution there due to sewage over the last 15 years.

The EPA said that the ‘do not swim’ notice for Warren Beach was also expected to last five days, writing that it was put in place due to “risk of deterioration in water quality due to emergency sewage overflow”.

Cork South-West TD Christopher O’Sullivan told The Echo: “It’s incredibly disappointing this is happening during peak tourist season.

“I think fingers, once again, have to be pointed at the fact that right within the vicinity of both of these two beaches is a wastewater treatment plant that is having to be desludged.

“That has to be properly investigated, because the evidence seems to be overwhelming that the pollution seems to be emanating from that.”