Ballycastle Named NI's Cleanest Beach

Ballycastle beach is Northern Ireland's cleanest, according to the latest UK-wide survey by the Marine Conservation Society.

The Good Beach Guide listed Ballycastle as it's top recommendation, saying it met the European water quality standards and was an excellent base to explore well-known local attractions such as the Giant's Causeway, Glens of Antrim and Rathlin.

Despite the good news for the coastal holiday town, only 10 out of 24 beaches tested in Northern Ireland were recommended by the survey with the water on three beaches - Ballyholme, Newcastle and Cranfield Bay - failing to meet even the basic standard.

However, the report also highlighted there was ongoing concern that the UK still lacked effective legislation to prohibit the dumping of untreated waste into its seas, and that the public should be provided more information on such dumping.

According to the report, there are 22,000 so called Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), which are designed to act as emergency outlets for overloaded sewerage systems during periods of heavy rainfall, but which can discharge at other times as well.

The report said: "Mapping costs relatively little yet it could make the difference between an enjoyable trip to the beach or one that ends up in A&E with ear, nose and throat infections or stomach upsets.”

Across the UK, 461 beaches were given the top "recommended" award for having excellent bathing water quality according to the Good Beach Guide.

But despite there being 42 more recommended beaches in 2011 than there were in 2010, 46 UK beaches failed to meet even the basic standards set 35 years ago in European law.

Rachel Wyatt, a Coastal Pollution Officer with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said: "These [beaches] present a potential health hazard for beachgoers, who may face unacceptable levels of bacteria and viruses in the sea water. This is a real cause for concern.

“But instead of viewing these new standards with dread, our coastal communities and water companies should welcome them as an opportunity to attract more people to the UK’s wonderful and varied seaside resorts”.

Monitoring for the new standards begins next year, and if a beach consistently fails to meet these legal limits between then and 2015, bathers could be faced with a sign advising them not to enter the water when they head to the beach.

(DW/GK)