Business owners and tourists are expressing deep disappointment, after a do-not-swim notice put in place at a west Clare beach has led to a “noticeable drop-off” in footfall locally.
Clare County Council has erected red flags at Spanish Point & White Strand Miltown Malbay, on the advice of the HSE, following the detection of high levels of bacteria in bathing samples at both locations.
The Sun is splitting the rocks at the iconic Clare beaches, however the waters are temporarily off limits to the public.
On the advice of the HSE, the Local Authority is enforcing bathing prohibitions at both Spanish Point & White Strand – Milltown Malbay following the identification of elevated levels of bacteria in water samples at both locations.
As a result, An Taisce’s coveted Blue Flags will be swapped for Red ones, until water quality is restored.
Clare County Council estimates that the prohibitions will remain in place for 5 days and these tourists who’ve travelled from across the globe to reconnect with family while taking in the Wild Atlantic Way have been left bitterly disappointed.
Uisce Eireann has attributed the development to possible run off from agricultural activity following excessive heavy rainfall in recent days.
However, Spanish Point is among the coastal communities in this county without access to wastewater infrastructure and Flan Cunningham, Manager of Coast Lodge Seafood & Pizzeria says the swimming prohibition order has had a big impact.
Clare County Council has taken a suite of measures to address the water pollution , including an increase in sampling and monitoring of water quality.
However, a notice of warning to the public remains in place advising that swimming in the affected areas has the potential to cause illness.
Spanish Point Lifeguard, Peadar says while it is discouraging to see a lack of activity at the beach, the public are heeding the advice well.
You can listen to the full report below
