Swimmers to benefit from higher water standards
Sat, 01 May 2021
Sea swimmers will be helped to make more informed decisions on where to take a dip from today when a more stringent testing regime begins at designated bathing waters. It comes after Tynwald approved the Water Pollution (Bathing Water Standards and Objectives) Scheme 2021 last week. The scheme sets out a system for sampling water quality at the beaches designated since Tynwald adopted Europe’s highest water quality standards in December 2019. It means four designated beaches in Port St Mary (Chapel Beach), Port Erin, Ramsey South and Douglas will have water tested weekly and classified as either sufficient, good or excellent, dependent on bacterial concentrations.
Port St Mary beach has been rated âexcellentâ for bathing under the highest European quality standards
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Four beaches will become designated bathing waters next summer as the island introduces Europe’s highest water quality standards.
In December 2019, Tynwald agreed a strategy for the adoption of the 2006 EU Bathing Water Directive, having already agreed the previous 1976 directive was ’inadequate’.
Following the decision local authorities were consulted before being invited to apply for their beaches to be designated.
The government received eight applications, of which four were approved for the next bathing season which begins on May 1.
Four Island beaches designated bathing waters
Tue, 15 Dec 2020
Four beaches will become designated bathing waters next summer as the Isle of Man introduces Europe’s highest water quality standards. In December 2019, Tynwald agreed a strategy for the adoption of the 2006 EU Bathing Water Directive, having already agreed the previous 1976 directive was inadequate. Following the decision local authorities were consulted before being invited to apply for their beaches to be designated. The Isle of Man Government received eight applications, of which four were approved for the next bathing season that begins on 1 May 2021. It means beach goers in Port St Mary, Port Erin, Ramsey South and Douglas will notice some changes, including new signage, when the bathing season officially opens on 1 May 2021.