EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 14: Environment, Health and Wellbeing Improvements in urban wastewater systems should continue to be made to limit the impact of wastewater on bathing waters and thereby reduce risks to public health. Local authorities should implement appropriate measures to increase the number of bathing waters classified as good or excellent and, where practical, consider designating more of the beaches that are regularly used by bathers. There are a number of ongoing environmental research projects that aim to improve knowledge and practice around bathing water quality and protection: the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway PIER project, which is funded by the EPA; the County Wexford-led Duncannon Blue Flag Farming and Communities Scheme; and the Acclimatize project and the EU SwimProject, both involving UCD. During the bathing season, the EPA’s beaches.ie website (www.beaches.ie) shares the latest information on bathing water quality and any water restrictions in place for identified bathing waters, as well as information on a number of other monitored bathing waters. Shellfish Waters Live bivalve molluscs for human consumption, such as mussels, can be harvested only from shellfish production areas that meet specified water quality requirements. Irish coastal waters provide ideal conditions for shellfish production, including oysters, mussels, cockles, scallops and clams. To support shellfish life and growth and to contribute to the high quality of edible shellfish products, the Quality of Shellfish Waters Regulations (S.I. No. 268 of 2006, as amended) required pollution reduction programmes to be developed for designated shellfish areas. Under these Regulations, there are 64 designated shellfish-growing areas in Ireland, which have specified physical, chemical and microbiological water quality requirements (Figure 14.5). Figure 14.5  Designated shellfish-growing areas in Ireland (Source: EPA) Norovirus is a leading cause of gastroenteritis in humans and is found in high concentrations in municipal wastewater. Bivalve molluscan shellfish such as oysters are filter feeders and can become contaminated with human pathogens including norovirus when produced in areas affected by municipal wastewater discharges. Wastewater treatment is a critical control to reduce the extent of pathogen discharge into aquatic environments. Disinfection is usually carried out using ultraviolet (UV) lamps, which kill or inactivate most of the bacteria and viruses in the water. Based on an assessment of Irish Water’s annual monitoring returns, there are currently 18 towns in Ireland that have UV treatment in place at their wastewater treatment plants to protect shellfish waters. To protect against illness, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Marine Institute, under service contract to the Food Safety Authority Ireland, operate a shellfish monitoring regime and analyse shellfish samples for the presence of biotoxins. The controls are such that consumption of Irish shellfish poses little risk to public health. However, illegal shellfish harvesting can present a risk to public health if contaminated shellfish makes its way into the food chain. Consumers and food businesses should purchase live bivalve molluscs only from suppliers 363