NI summer of sludge hits beaches

The summer of sludge has left the shifting sands dirtier than ever with raw sewage found on clean beaches.

A Marine Conservation Society report said Newcastle, Ballyholme and Carnlough have missed EU standards.

It says storms swept raw sewage and rubbish out to sea and then back onto the sand.

For a beach to fail it must have more than one of the 10 water samples not reaching EC mandatory standards for total coliform and faecal coliform bacteria.

MCS has said the government must provide information on bathing beaches advising swimmers that coastal waters can be temporarily affected by increased pollution, with a consequent risk to bathers' health, after heavy rain.

It says the sewer system needs to be expanded to handle large volumes of storm water, and failing sewer outfalls have to be improved.

This year there have been thousands of tourists visiting the province, with an increase in hotel room occupancy for May of 4% on last year.

In 2006 there were 1,983,000 visits generating £373m for the local economy.

Exodus

Any visitors over the latter part of the summer would have been advised to take care on the beaches, but the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said despite the latest report local beaches were still mostly of a high standard.

"Northern Ireland has some excellent beaches which are enjoyed by visitors all year round," a spokesman said.

"Twenty out of 23 beaches tested in Northern Ireland achieved a good standard or a pass.

"Just recently eight beaches and two marinas were awarded Blue Flag status. NITB continues to work with a range of tourism partners to ensure high standards at all of our visitor attractions."

The squalid summer has been disappointing for locals as well.

Residents have experienced sewage flooding into their homes and there has been an exodus of local people trying to find some decent weather with travel agents, airlines and airports reporting a rise in business.

Local ice-cream makers and cider companies have also reported a downturn in sales this year.

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