AQW 26608/17-22

Mr Alan Chambers
Ulster Unionist Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 30/11/2021
Answered On Date: 06/12/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his assessment of the cause of high bacteria counts in the bathing waters at Ballyholme Bay, Bangor.

Answer:

Although the bacterial counts at Ballyholme are higher than elsewhere, the site still meets the ‘Sufficient’ status under the Bathing Water Regulations. The standards are also twice as stringent was the case 6 years ago. There is also evidence of year on year improvement at Ballyholme.

Ballyholme bathing water catchment was prioritised for investigation to determine outstanding sources of pollution in 2017. Continued investigations have determined that this is a complex catchment, which is vulnerable to pressures from both agricultural run-off, overflows from the wastewater (sewerage) network and misconnections from housing developments.

Through the Better Beaches Forum, improvement actions are underway, with further actions planned. NI Water is continuing with an extensive programme of upgrades to the wastewater network in the Bangor area. A total of £15.5M is being spent on improvements to the sewerage system to protect coastal water quality. To date, £8.2M has been spent on projects at Clandeboye School, Bangor Marina, Luke’s Point pumping station and in Castle Park.

There are further projects in progress at Carnalea Golf Club, Brompton Road and at Rathmore stream, all of which will improve bathing and coastal water quality. DAERA Water Quality Inspectors will continue to work with NI Water to identify and investigate misconnections which can result in release of Sewage Related Debris and untreated effluent to the environment.