The Irish Times - Monday, August 20, 2012

OLIVIA KELLEHER

A NUMBER of Corks best known beaches remained closed to bathers yesterday after dangerous levels of E.coli were found in the water.

Due to heavy rainfall over the last two months Cork County Council has warned that levels of E.coli at a number of Cork beaches have breached EU permitted levels.

The local authority has banned swimming in blue flag beaches at Garretstown, Redbarn and Garryvoe. Other beaches affected include the Front Strand and Claycastle in Youghal, Coolmaine near Kilbrittain and Oysterhaven.

The closures are a precautionary measure until the water quality has been restored.

The HSE and the Environmental Protection Agency have been contacted.

Youghal councillor and county mayor Barbara Murray says the system of water sampling needs to be changed.

You dont just do this on a Monday and decide you are not going to do it again until the following Monday. So I would be suggesting that it would be done on a more regular basis, and that the results be brought in as soon as possible, said Ms Murray.

Further inspections are to be carried out on the beaches today.

Read more:

Dangerous E.coli levels close some of Cork's best-known beaches