Technology to read beach water quality

Technology to read beach water quality

13 February 2019

MODERN technology is to be used to inform people if the bathing water at Newcastle beach is safe to swim in.

The beach is one of six across the province which features in a new EU-backed initiative to provide people with live updates of the water quality.

The resort’s beach and surrounding river catchment area has been selected as part of a major new study, with a weather station and river water level recorders already in place to send real time data to a server which the public can access.

A new electronic sign is to be erected at the Downs Road car park to provide live updates on the water quality, but the European Union’s so-called SWIM project goes a step further with people able to get information via text messages and internet alerts.

News of the new initiative comes just three months after it was revealed that while Kilclief, Ballyhornan, Tyrella and Murlough beaches continue to enjoy some of the best bathing water quality in Europe, it was a case of ‘must do better’ for Newcastle, with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs labelling the resort’s water quality as “sufficient”.

Details of the SWIM project were outlined at Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Regulatory and Technical Services Committee.

Councillors were told those involved in the scheme are working on developing a real time monitoring system, allowing local people and visitors to the beach to check the water quality via a series of measures.

Council officials say the innovative project will enable what they have described as “short term pollution” to be predicted.

Funded by the Special EU Programmes Body, those behind the project which includes Newcastle,  Castlerock, Portrush, Waterfoot, Ballyholme and Ballywalter beaches in Northern Ireland and  Clogherhead, Enniscrone and Lady’s Bay in the Republic, say it will help protect public health.

In addition, they are confident that it will significantly improve communication about water quality and contribute to tourism promotion in the resort.

At Monday night’s council meeting, Mournes councillor Willie Clarke said: “This new programme is good news for the resort and can have a positive impact on tourism.

“The fact that people will have real time access to the quality of the bathing water builds confidence which is positive.

“There is a problem with nitrates finding their way into the water at the beach and it is something that needs to be addressed. 

“However, the fact that we will soon have a scheme which enables people to know the quality of the water before they take a dip is groundbreaking.”

Rowallane councillor Harry Harvey, said the decision was good news for Newcastle and could boost visitor numbers.

“This is a forward step for a beach where the water quality has improved from what it was a number  of years ago,” he said.

“The beach has yet to achieve blue flag status which in part recognises the quality of the water and it would be great if this could be secured in the long term.

“With the focus on the here and now, the provision of the electronic sign and the availability of real time information is indeed a welcome development and a forward step for the resort.”