Issue 210 - BT22 • BT23
Ballywalter and Millisle water judged ‘Good Quality’ 96% of NI Bathing Waters meet required water quality standards in 2023! Northern Ireland’s bathing waters continued to perform well in 2023 despite it being the wettest July and Autumn in Northern Ireland since records began. Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland have met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms. Eighteen bathing waters are classified as ‘Excellent’, a prerequisite for the coveted Blue Flag Award and the highest water quality standard, six have met the ‘Good’ standard, and one the ‘Sufficient’ standard. Ballyholme bathing water, unfortunately, has failed to meet the minimum standards for a second year in a row. This year the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), which manages the bathing Tallest Sunflower Winner Georgina Hawe is congratulated by Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour
Ards and North Down In Bloom Competition Winners Announced!
The annual competition attracted entries from across the Borough for a total of eight categories that encouraged children, adults and local businesses to put their green fingers to the test. The competition was created to encourage everyone who lives or works in the Borough to think about their local environment and consider how attractive flowers, plants, trees and gardens can enhance it. The initiative’s objectives are in line with the Translink Ulster
in Bloom competition and other regional award schemes with entrants judged on horticultural excellence, community participation and environmentally sustainable practices. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said: “By supporting the
competition, residents make their gardens and businesses more attractive while also contributing to the Borough’s entry into the annual Translink Ulster in Bloom competition. This year, I was delighted to see both Donaghadee and Groomsport recognised
among Northern Ireland’s top horticultural talent, and congratulations must go to all those who played their part and entered the Ards and North Down Community Competitions.”
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water programme, also undertook sampling at a number of ‘Candidate’ bathing waters which had been recommended as bathing sites by the Bathing Water Review conducted by the Department in 2022/2023. This included Northern Ireland’s first Inland Bathing Water at Rea’s Wood, Antrim. The seven ‘Candidate’ bathing waters were also measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms with one classified as ‘Excellent’, two as ‘Good’ and the remaining four failing to meet the minimum standards. The project is a collaboration between scientists at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and communications partner Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and is a continuation of work developed under the EU Interreg VA SWIM project.