The swimming ban put in place by the city council for Grattan Beach earlier this week has been extended to Ballyloughane beach.
The council imposed a swimming ban at Grattan beach on Tuesday after heavy rain caused two overflow events at the Mutton Island wastewater treatment plant.
Water samples were taken for testing on Tuesday, and based on the results received the city council has also closed Ballyloughane beach.
“Sampling was carried out again yesterday (Wednesday) and the preliminary results indicate an improvement in water quality but final results are not expected until tomorrow Friday,” a statement from the city council read.
The two beaches will remain closed to people until further notice while awaiting test results.
It also said that “Based on the e-coli results received today for Salthill, the “Not To Swim” advisory notice has now been removed.”
Several warning notices were erected by the council last weekend in anticipation of heavy rain, which is known to affect coastal water quality.
The council noted yesterday that the Sewer Network Storm Water Overflows which occurred are permitted under the EPA Discharge licence for Galway City Council/ Irish Water and occurred prior to entering the plant.
The council said that such overflow events at the Mutton Island plant are rare, with the last one prior to this taking place during Storm Eleanor in January 2018.
