Sandymount beach is a convenient and safe beach, within easy reach of the city centre. The Strand has been enjoyed for over a century and perhaps longer but it appeared deserted over the recent hot spell.

Locals who are used to seeing families using the beach at this time of year have attributed their absence to unreliable media reports on the quality of water in Dublin Bay.

When asked about recent reports in the media that water quality in the Bay may not be within the requirements for bathing waters standards, Matt Twomey, Assistant City Manager, of Dublin City Council (DCC) said that tests quoted in support of this contention are not valid since they only related to a presence or absence of e-coli and total coliforms whereas it is the persistent numbers present that determine water quality.

He added that in a period of heavy rain, pollution is brought down to the Bay through the rivers and streams, which feed into the sea. The limits may be exceeded for a very short period. DCC has recently erected signs at a number of locations in the bay; to show the results of the continuous monitoring as it progresses.

The testing is carried out in DCC’s accredited Central Laboratory by highly qualified staff. Samples are taken from five locations in the Bay, which include the designated beaches and areas used by swimmers such as the Half Moon Club. Matt Twomey says there is no scientific basis for the claims that have been made in the media. Photographs which were allegedly of dried sludge were, in fact, of seaweed.

Catherine Cavendish (BSc) secretary of Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association (SAMRA) confirmed that DCC has erected water quality notices at five points around Sandymount Strand. She said that for the most part the level of the count is far below any indication of health risk.

Catherine contends that the quality of the water in the Bay is well above the standard required for safety and far cleaner than it has been for many years. She also added that the photographs, which accompanied the article in an evening newspaper, were Ectocarpus, fine seaweed, which is prolific in July. This together with Cladophora and Enteromorpha, which are both seaweed, are obviously not sewage sludge.

The Assistant City Manager said that since the 1990s DCC has had regular liaison meetings with residents associations representing almost 3,000 residents in Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount, at which all aspects of water quality and progress on the completion of the Water Treatment Plant are discussed.

Matt Twomey said “We greatly appreciate the time given by voluntary Officers of the groups concerned in a constructive way to deal with issues that arise directly with stakeholders. We very much regret and have pointed out to the media that no contact was made with these groups for their comments or observation on claims being represented in the media by a person claiming to represent local residents. We have pointed out to all concerned that these claims are vexatious.”

On the question of the bad smells, which have prevailed over the area in recent times, no elaborate laboratory equipment was needed to determine its quality or source. Matt Twomey agreed that the pungent odour in the air arising from the Plant first occurred during the summer 2003 and was severe. The DCC instructed consultants to carry out an examination of the entire odour control arrangements at the plant.

It was concluded following this examination that additional equipment was required to ensure that the standard provided for in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of having no odour at the boundary of the site was achieved. The target completion date was for the end of May 2004.

This target date was not met for a variety of reasons and the installation was completed by the end of June and a comprehensive audit was carried out after that date which showed that the Plant was operating satisfactorily.

A further audit will be carried out in the autumn and Matt Twomey emphasises that if this audit shows that additional equipment is required it will be installed. Mr Twomey stated: “I would like to thank all the Residents Associations in the area who worked with us to achieve what we all want, a plant that is working to the highest environmental standards with water quality in the Bay better than it has been for the entire of the last century.”

So those of you who wish to enjoy the last of the summer sun, can feel safe as you swim in the clean waters of Dublin bay and breathe the fresh sea air.