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.

Under the updated standards the quality of bathing water is rated as poor, sufficient, good or excellent for swimming with the four successful beaches all classed as good or excellent.

The classification will be clearly displayed on new signage at each beach and on the Government’s website, along with a unique bathing water profile including further information about its catchment area.

The 2006 Directive requires stringent testing for bacteria to be undertaken weekly to monitor the water quality for swimmers with results published online.

 

---