Loch Beach, Ringaskiddy

Source Information

Cork Harbour Waterkeeper staff and trained volunteers monitor recreational water quality at 14 locations in and around the Cork Harbour. Sampling is conducted the first Monday of the month from February to October. Sites are currently sampled for E.coli, enterococcus, and total coliforms. Results are analyzed using the IDEXX Quanti Tray/2000 MPN and expressed as the most probable number (MPN). Results are interpreted against the recreational water quality standards prescribed by both the Irish EPA and the European Commission’s Bathing Water Directive. A beach is posted red when a single sample test result fails to meet the “sufficient” standard for marine or brackish waters: 185 enterococci / 100ml of water or 500 E.coli / 100ml of water. A beach is posted green when a single sample test result meets the “sufficient” standard both 185 enterococci / 100ml of water and 500 E.coli / 100ml of water. A beach is posted grey when there are no test results are available at the time of regularly scheduled sampling. Test results are posted to Swim Guide as soon as they become available, typically 24 hours after samples are processed. Contact : corkharbourwaterguardians@gmail.com