asked the Minister for the Environment if the authorised bathing facilities at (a) Brew's Bridge and (b) Cappa beach, Kilrush, County Clare, fall within the definition of bathing waters contained in the EEC directive on the quality of bathing water, and if so, the impact the proposed sewerage project in Kilrush is likely to have on these areas.
Written Answers - EEC Bathing Waters Directive.
190.
No. The provision of limited facilities by the local authority at Brew's Bridge and at Cappa beach, Kilrush, County Clare, does not imply authorisation of these places as bathing areas for the purposes of the EEC Directive on the quality of bathing waters.
In the directive in question "bathing water" is defined as all running or still fresh waters or parts thereof and sea water in which bathing is explicitly authorised or where bathing is not prohibited and is traditionally practised by a large number of bathers. In Ireland bathing is not "specifically authorised" and the criterion for application of the directive is used by "a large number of bathers", a term which, while not defined in the directive, was viewed in the context of 10,000 persons per linear kilometre in the earlier stages of formulation of the directive. Attendance figures at even the most popular beaches in Ireland are very far below this figure.
With regard to the proposed sewerage scheme at Kilrush the proposals are for the discharge of comminuted sewage via a tidal storage tank at a suitably located sea outfall in the vicinity of Skagh Point. Comminution will aid oxidation and dispersal. The outfall pipe will be located 11 feet below low tide level and discharge will be on the ebb tide. This is an internationally accepted method of sewage disposal for coastal towns and the consulting engineer's investigations including sea surveys show that no offshore pollution should result.
An appeal before An Bord Pleanála against the grant by Clare County Council of permission for the construction of a tidal tank and sea outfall for the sewerage scheme has been the subject of an oral hearing, the outcome of which is expected shortly.