AQW 27844/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 11/01/2022
Answered On Date: 31/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the timescale for the commencement of Bathing Water Quality Northern Ireland 2022 monitoring.

Answer:

My Department will commence bathing water quality monitoring on 01 June 2022, with a pre-season sample scheduled for May 2022.

My Department is also preparing for a full review of Bathing Waters in 2022/23 and a public consultation will issue shortly. This will not only look at the identification of new Bathing Waters but will also consider extending the length of the bathing season. The review recognises the marked increase in popularity of all year open water swimming in recent times.