An investigation into the swimming restrictions at bathing locations has found that restrictions hit over half of all Irish bathing waters this summer.
Local sites are included with the report focusing on the high number of restrictions to hit Lough Swilly Co Donegal this summer.
The Journal analysed over 1,600 bathing restrictions from the last ten years. It found that as a result of restrictions the Inch Mile sea swim off the coast of Rathmullan in Co Donegal was cancelled in August due to unacceptable levels of harmful bacteria in the water.
Rathmullan Beach was one of the Irish bathing spots hit with a high number of swimming restrictions in 2023.
The report says Areas along the west coast had a high number of restrictions, including well known beaches in Co Donegal.
When it comes to the Raw or poorly-treated sewage being discharged the report claims that the treatment plan in Ballymote does not meet EU standards.
In relation to Lough Swilly the Journal claim that raw sewage is coming from towns and villages which are unconnected to treatment plants or from wastewater treatment plants which are unable to deal with the volume of sewage that they have to process. These pump untreated sewage straight into the sea when they reach capacity.
In Buncranna bathing water impacted by untreated wastewater. While in Burtonport there was found to be a raw sewage discharge.
A raw sewage discharge was also found in Moville with the report claiming that the treatment plant does not meet EU standard.
It also found that the treatment plant in Lifford fails to meet EU Standards.
Despite legal requirements to improve bathing water quality, there are still 26 spots around Ireland where raw sewage is pumped into the environment and 15 wastewater treatment plants that fail to meet EU standards. Swimmers are especially impacted when these factors are combined with heavy rain.
The worst affected bathing area was found to be Keeldra Lough in Co Leitrim which has ongoing issues with toxic algae.
