Dublin City Council monitors bathing water quality at its three designated bathing beaches, which are Dollymount, Sandymount and Merrion strand. Monitoring is also carried out at the Shelley Banks beach near the South Bull Wall at Poolbeg.

In accordance with the EU bathing water directive, monitoring of designated bathing waters must be done at least once every 14 days during the bathing season of June, July and August. Monitoring by Dublin City Council is in excess of this with at least twenty samples being taken from each location between Mid May and Mid September.

Assessment of water quality involves analysis of three different bacteria which may be present in the water. The results are categorised in accordance with EU guidelines. Blue Flag represents water at the highest standard, mandatory quality represents water of a good standard, while water not meeting the above two standards is considered unsuitable for bathing.

The results of analysis for 2011 are posted on the bathing beaches concerned and are summarised in the table below.

	Indicates excellent water quality (Blue Flag limits) – Samples should not exceed 250 (CFU) E. Coli and 100 (CFU) Intestinal Enterococci per 100 ml.
	Indicates good water quality – Samples should not exceed 500 (CFU) E. Coli and 200 (CFU) Intestinal Enterococci per 100 ml.

Because cultivation of bacteria takes a number of day’s results are posted approximately one week after the sample has been taken.

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 Bathing Water Quality Results from 2011