Bathing ban stays in place at Ballyloughane

There is every possibility that the bathing ban at Ballyloughane Beach may be lifted within the next couple of years – the water quality has been gradually improving.

Unfortunately, the bathing ban will be in force this summer as the water quality at Ballyloughane has been described as ‘poor’ in the latest Environmental Protection Agency findings.

However, Cllr Terry O’Flaherty said that the situation was improving and that it was unfortunate that during heavy rainfalls, the beach can be vulnerable to sewage from a local housing estate.

There will be notices erected advising the public not to swim in the waters at the beach. Over the years Ballyloughane has also been plagued with dog fouling and excrement from Travellers’ horses.

But Irish Water are happy with the progress being made and they say that the quality has improved significantly in recent years.

They said that Ballyloughane Beach in Renmore had achieved better bathing water quality during the 2015 season in comparison to previous years. If this is maintained, then there was every possibility that its classification will improve.

While the bathing water is still classified as poor by the EPA, it only just falls into this category due to one very high sample in both 2013 and 2015. Of 15 water samples tested in 2015, 14 returned excellent results with just one being poor.

Cllr O’Flaherty said that following her inquiries with Galway City Council, it seems that the water quality has been steadily improving in recent years and she has impressed on them the necessity for this situation to remain.

“It is a hugely important facility in the area and one that has been under-used in recent years because of the poor quality of the water. At the moment we have to adhere to the notices in place and maybe in 2017 it will become acceptable for bathers,” Cllr O’Flaherty added.

It is the sixth year in a row that the water quality in Ballyloughane has been described as poor by the EPA and, as a consequence, the number of people using the beach has been compromised. In the past, it has been described as one of the most attractive beaches in the county.

In the past the vast majority of blame was put onstorm overflow during heavy rainfalls. Works have been carried out to try and rectify this situation.

Meanwhile, those using the beach are being asked to observe the ‘no bathing’ notices for the summer months.