Bray South Beach Is Closed To Swimming For 15% Of The Annual Bathing Season

Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore has raised concerns about bathing water quality in North Wicklow.

Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore has raised concerns about bathing water quality in North Wicklow. This comes on the back of the publication of a Noteworthy investigation, which found that Bray's south Promenade Beach was closed for 15% of the annual bathing season this year, which runs from the 1st of June to the 15th of September.Deputy Whitmore said"Today's reporting from Noteworthy about the notices of swimming bans around the country shone a light on the situation we saw in Bray this past summer. During the 2023 swimming season, Bray South Beach Promenade was closed to swimming for 16 days or 15% of the season. It is also worth noting that the number of days on which Irish swimming spots have been restricted in the last decade has trebled."There were several reasons for this, one being excessive bacteria in the water following heavy rain. The reality is that climate change means that far heavier rainfall is likely in the years ahead, and we need to be able to be proactive about what that means for our coastal community in Wicklow."Runoff from agricultural land and urban runoff is another contributing factor to swimming restrictions. This is also about how we use land surrounding water sources, including the sea, in a way that does not harm them. Testing is one key way to identify when sewage or bacteria is at unsafe levels in swimming spots."In a county like Wicklow, where access to our beautiful seaside swimming spots is a source of such activity and pride, I want to see us being more proactive."This issue is not limited to Bray South Beach. Silver Strand also had bathing restrictions for 5% of this year's swimming season. Going into the winter, we need to better handle this issue so that next year's swimming season doesn't see restriction notices like we had in 2023."