A popular swimming event due to be held last weekend in Rathmullan was cancelled due to high levels of E-coli in the bathing water at the beach.
Swim Ireland who organise the annual Inch Mile Swim, contacted participants to say that in the interests of safety, the event was being rescheduled.
The decision followed the detection of elevated levels of E-coli which was flagged during routine water sampling conducted by Donegal County Council, a spokesperson for the council told the Donegal News.
The water samples are taken weekly throughout the summer bathing season, which runs from May 22 to September 15 annually.
The samples taken on Wednesday, August 23 revealed “poor” water quality.
A bacterial analysis of E-coli showed levels of 1,872. This is the highest level recorded in over a decade.
Following consultation between the council and the HSE a temporary ‘Do not swim’ notice was put in place at the beach.
Four weeks earlier on Wednesday, July 26, water quality was also deemed “poor” with levels of 1,467 present in the bathing water, another record high.
For comparison the most recent sample, which was taken last Friday, August 25 shows “excellent” water quality with E-coli levels of 20.
“Given the reduced rainfall levels this week, water quality is expected to remain at this level, as short term pollution events derived from periods of heavy rain are known to lead to a significant drop in water quality,” a council spokesperson said.
The cause of the Short Term Pollution event is currently being investigated by Donegal County Council in conjunction with Uisce Éireann.
Poor water quality is an issue affecting beaches across the county.
Last week, the Donegal News reported that one third of the county’s beaches which have their water quality monitored by the council had bathing restrictions introduced.
Lady’s Bay Beach in Buncrana has a ‘swimming prohibited’ order in place for the entire 2023 season because of poor water quality during the 2022 bathing season.
The Inch Mile Swim has been rescheduled until Saturday, September 30.
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