EPA water quality report shows improvements

Results for the 2009 bathing season show that the quality of bathing water in Ireland generally remains high, with 93% (122 out of 131) of
bathing areas complying with EU mandatory standards and 82% (108) complying with the higher guide standards. The proportion of bathing
waters complying with the higher guide standard increased by 4% (6 bathing locations) compared to 2008.

The Minister expressed disappointment that 9 bathing areas did not meet the mandatory standard, the same figure as in 2008 but complimented
Donegal, Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Galway City, Kerry, Louth and Meath local authorities who achieved at least good quality status
for all of the bathing waters within their areas.

Restating the Government*s commitment to maintaining and improving the high standards of our bathing waters, the Minister said that the
Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012, launched in April this year, prioritises contracts and schemes that target environmental
compliance and public health objectives, including bathing water standards, and supports economic and employment growth as envisaged in
Government policy. Over ?500 million has being allocated to the programme for 2010.

The Minister also noted that March 2011 would see the new Bathing Water Regulations - introduced in 2008 - become fully operational. The new
regulations give a stronger focus to the protection of public health and on the management of bathing waters.

Another strong feature of the new Regulations is the focus on the provision of information to the public. The Minister emphasised that up
to date information on the designated bathing areas, compiled by the EPA, is available on the *Splash* website at www.bathingwater.ie.
The website also provides information about the compliance history of these bathing areas with EU Bathing Water Quality Standards from 2003
onwards. General information about the beach including details of blue flag status and lifeguard availability, as well as current weather and
tidal information, is also available on the site.