Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back Into The Water

Mind how you go…

atest press release from Cllr Lourda Scott, issued on Friday, September 5th 2025…

Greystones Cathaoirleach Councillor Lourda Scott has criticised Wicklow County Council’s decision not to test bathing waters after sewage overflow incidents during the winter months, calling the approach “short-sighted.”

Scott first raised the question following a malfunction at Rathdown pump station earlier in the year, which resulted in sewage overflow that led to sae swimming in Greystones being banned for nine days. Restrictions were lifted without scientific testing to confirm the water was clean, a decision that was questioned by Scott at the time.

Cllr Scott said: “In January I asked the Council to look at their policies and consider water testing after an incident of sewage overflow like we experienced last Christmas. I pointed out that in my localilty, there is a very active year round swimming community and safe guarding the cleanliness of the water is a big priority.

“I received assurances that it would be looked at.

“As we are coming into the autumn, I followed up at this month’s Council meeting and asked the same question again. The response I received was that testing would not take place because failures are more likely in the winter and that the Council does not have the resources. In other words, the position is to avoid testing in case of bad results. This approach baffles me. No rationale was given as to what resources would be required, or what can be offered instead to reassure people. This is not a responsible way to protect public health.”

“Thankfully overflows of raw sewage are not everyday events. In Greystones, as in other areas along the coast, we have large number of people swimming year round. However at present there is no data on actual swimmer numbers and no information of what testing would involve in terms of cost and resources. Without this information, it’s difficult to know how the Council assessed the needs for resources. It’s not an extraordinary request; when raw sewage flows into the sea, people want to be certain that water is safe to swim in again.

“In my opinion the only way to provide that certainty is through robust scientific testing. If there’s another way of doing this then the Council needs to communicate the rationale in a clear, understandable manner to the public.”

“Our coastline is one of Greystones’ greatest assets and safeguarding it along with the health of the people using the sea should be a priority. I will continue to push for transparency and accountability on this issue.

“The community deserves clear answers so that we remain confident that our waters remain safe for everyone.”