Following on the fainna failures entry yesterday I find this in my morning newsround up.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=MHKFAUAUSNID
“Sewage treatment blamed for water quality failures
11/05/2007 – 07:23:53

The inadequate treatment of sewage has been blamed for Irish waters failing to meet EU standards, a new report revealed today.

Four swimming areas in north Dublin, Galway and Waterford have been blacklisted in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) survey.

The bathing water quality report revealed Balbriggan, Malahide, and Clifden did not meet the mandatory standard for both total and faecal coliforms, while Dunmore East Main Strand failed to meet the standard for faecal coliforms.

Of these beaches, only Clifden was named the previous year when five beaches failed.
The EPA report also called for the number of designated swimming areas to be increased from 131 to 160.

“The primary reason for sites failing the EU standards was due to inadequately treated sewage,” said Gerard O’Leary, EPA programme manager.

“Local Authorities should continually update the public on the quality of bathing waters during the upcoming bathing water season. Where problems with water quality are showing up they must take the necessary actions to ensure that water quality complies with the bathing water standards.

“While the overall level of bathing water quality remains high, the EPA remains concerned that a small number of bathing areas do not conform to the minimum mandatory standards.””

Right,
now to see how many phone called it takes to find out where the nearest blue flag beaches are to me
along the dublin coast before I plan the weekend with the kids; ‘cos really as nice as a stroll along the strand
is all kids want to at least get thier feet wet and yes that would include this kid too.