Lough Neagh fails to meet minimum bathing water standards

An identified bathing water on Lough Neagh has failed to meet minimum standards, according to the latest classification.

An “advice against bathing” has been in place at Rea’s Wood on the Antrim shore of the lough since July, due to blue-green algae.

It is the only one of 33 identified bathing waters across Northern Ireland to receive a “poor” classification.

The Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs minister Andrew Muir said he was “glad” to see 24 bathing waters meeting the “excellent” standard but added there was “still a lot more to do” to improve water quality.

“We have all seen the devastating scenes at Lough Neagh. I am therefore disappointed but sadly not surprised that Rea’s Wood in Lough Neagh failed to meet the minimum standards,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see that three sites have improved in classification this year: at Brompton, Cushendall and Ballyholme.”

Five other waters met the “good” standard while the remaining three were classed as “sufficient”.

Blue-green algae was present in Lough Neagh for a third summer since the crisis began in 2023.

As well as advice against bathing notices around the Lough, beaches on the North Coast were also affected by bathing bans during the summer, due to algae arriving via the Lower Bann.

The minister said it was “really concerning” that this had happened again, with some bathing notices put in place in October.

“As recently as last week at Portstewart, my officials have had to issue advice against bathing.

“I am glad to be able to announce that we have been able to lift the advice against bathing at both Portstewart and Rea’s Wood. I want to thank our Bathing Water Operator partners who have worked with us in getting the messages out to the public quickly and consistently throughout the season.”

He added that a review of bathing water will be launched soon.

A dashboard allows the public to make decisions about where and when to swim.

Bathing waters are monitored by Daera during the season, which runs from June to September.

Regular samples are taken and assessed for E. Coli and Intestinal Enterococci which come primarily from sewage and animal faeces.

Visual assessments are also carried out for the presence of algae or scums and pollution incidents.

Bathing sites are classified on four years of results and up to 80 samples.