The people of Galway city are being asked to decide which local beaches waterways should be officially designated as swimming waters this year.
Each year, local authorities must identify official swimming areas along beaches, rivers, and lakes so that so that they can be monitored for safety, water quality and their level of use.
Under European and Irish law swimming waters must be monitored to ensure they meet stringent microbiological water quality standards.
In some cases these are also the areas where local authorities focus their resources providing lifeguards during the summer season.
People in Galway are being asked by the city council if they should maintain they official designated areas as they are now, or if there are other areas commonly used for swimming that are not identified at the moment.
As part of the requirements under law the council must also prepare detailed profiles and descriptions of all the chosen sites.
Not just an account of the quality of the water itself, but including any possible sites that could be a source pollution with the surface water’s catchment area.
The profiles include an assessment the risk of pollution and what action would be taken if pollution occurs.
People who go swimming regularly and would like to give their input on this process are asked to consider how regularly the area is used and by how many people, what facilities are there, how accessible it is, and any safety issues at the site.
Anyone who wishes to propose their favourite beach or river as an official swimming area should contact the City Council Environment Department at environment@galwaycity.ie or 091536400.
The closing date for submissions is July 17. or further information please environment@galwaycity.ie.
