Swimming bans could be put in place at a number of beaches in Co Cork in the coming days if heavy rainfall sweeps slurry into the sea and raises e.coli bacteria to excessive levels.

Following advice from the HSE, Cork County Council yesterday put up warning notices at 14 beaches along the coast advising the public that water conditions might deteriorate to an extent that they exceeded permissible EU levels for the bacteria.

Officials said forecasts of heavy rain yesterday and again today meant there was a likelihood of contaminants being washed into the sea.

It was predicted that West Cork would be worst affected.

Met ireann forecasters predicted that 19.4mm of rain would fall in the region yesterday, with a further 17.9mm today.

Along the East and South Cork coasts less rain was forecast, but was deemed enough to have potential to cause sea water pollution.

Warning signs were put up by the council at nine beaches in West Cork: Barleycove, Cadogans, Coolmaine, Pallas, Tragumna, Traverra, Trahallan, Tom OBriens Strand, and The Warren.

The warning signs were also put up at Youghals Claycastle and Front Strand, Fountainstown, Garryvoe and Garretstown.

A number of beaches have been closed in the county already this year due to elevated levels of potentially harmful bacteria entering bathing water.

Earlier this month, a temporary bathing prohibition notice was put in place at Garryvoe, this time due to elevated levels of intestinal enterococci in the water.

Originally posted here:

Beaches face bathing ban as heavy rain ups e.coli risk