THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE are expected to head for the water this week as temperatures inch closer to 30 degrees, but advisory notices remain in place at several of Dublin’s most popular swimming locations.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has issued precautionary warnings for the Dún Laoghaire Baths, the Forty Foot, Sandycove and Coliemore Harbour following recent heavy localised rainfall.
The notices do not mean the water is unsafe to swim in, but warn that water quality may temporarily deteriorate after rainfall.
The latest available test results, based on samples taken on 15 June, rated all nine monitored bathing locations in the region as having “excellent” water quality, including Seapoint, Killiney Beach, White Rock Beach and the Forty Foot.
Further water testing is being carried out today, with results expected later this week.
The council advises swimmers to avoid swallowing seawater, wash their hands before handling food, avoid swimming with open cuts or wounds and to take extra care if pregnant or immunocompromised.
The warning comes as Ireland experiences a spell of unusually hot weather, with temperatures expected to reach up to 29 degrees today and potentially exceed 30 degrees later this week.
Similar precautionary notices are also in place at other popular swimming locations around the country, including Lahinch in Co Clare and Galway’s Grattan Road Beach and Ballyloughane Beach, where authorities have warned that heavy rainfall could affect water quality.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council says people should generally avoid swimming for up to 48 hours after heavy rainfall due to an increased risk of water-borne illness.