Mayo beaches are rated in latest Bathing Water Quality report
Keem beach was among the Mayo beaches to receive an 'excellent' ranking for bathing water quality.
Bathing water quality in Mayo and Sligo has received a clean bill of health from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA has published the Bathing Water Quality in Ireland report for 2024
Bertra, Carrowniskey, Clare Island, Dooega, Dugort, Elly Bay, Golden Strand, Keel, Keem, Mullaghroe, Mulranny, Old Head, Rinroe, Carrowtigue, and Ross beaches were all deemed ‘excellent', while Carrowmore Beach in Louisburgh received a ‘sufficient’ classification.
Just over the border in Co Sligo, Enniscrone Beach received an ‘excellent’ grading as did Dunmoran Beach, Rosses Point, and Streedagh. Mullaghmore Beach was deemed ‘good’.
The reports shows that water quality at most of Ireland’s bathing waters was of a high standard. Some 81% of bathing sites have 'excellent’ water quality, while 96% meet or exceed the minimum standard of ’sufficient’.
In 2024, urban wastewater-related incidents were the most frequently reported cause of beach closures. Run-off from agriculture, fouling from dogs and wastewater from properties going to surface water drains rather than sewers (known as misconnections) also impacted on bathing waters.
Heavy rainfall and associated wastewater overflows, and runoff from agricultural lands and urban areas, can cause short-term deterioration in water quality. Localised intense rainfall, particularly in the West and North-West, led to bathing water restrictions (including beach closures) to protect bather health. Overall, however, there were less restrictions in 2024 than in 2023.
