Dún Laoghaire Baths – Bathing Water Classification

Dún Laoghaire‑Rathdown County Council has been informed by the EPA of a Poor bathing water classification for Dún Laoghaire Baths for the 2026 bathing season. This classification is based solely on test results from the 2025 season. When the full dataset from 2023–2025 is considered, the bathing water at this location meets the standard for Good quality.

Throughout 2023, 2024 and 2025, we have exceeded national monitoring requirements, carrying out significantly more sampling than mandated to ensure the public receives the most accurate and up‑to‑date information. Across the 48 samples taken over the three bathing seasons, 91% recorded Excellent water quality.

Two isolated incidents in July 2025 resulted in elevated readings. One was linked to an unexpected, intense rainfall event that caused a temporary overflow from the wastewater network. The second sample returned inconclusive results despite advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test conducted to try to identify the microbial source of the poor sample, be that human, dog or gull. These incidents do not reflect the overall pattern of high-water quality at the site.

We remain fully committed to ensuring Dún Laoghaire Baths remains a safe and high‑quality bathing area. A comprehensive Management Plan has been submitted to the EPA, setting out short, medium, and long‑term actions to improve resilience and reduce the likelihood of future pollution events. 

These include:

• Notification of overflow events from the urban drainage network in partnership with Uisce Éireann
• Targeted enforcement and public awareness campaigns to reduce dog fouling in the area.
• Participation in innovative research projects, including:
  • Acclimatize II , which is joint venture between the Dublin Coastal Local Authorities, Uisce Éireann and UCD, and is made up of six works packages, that are aimed at identifying the sources of reduced water quality in Dublin Bay
  • Urban Dip, this is a prototype real time bathing water quality sampler and pollution forecaster at Dún Laoghaire Baths.
• Medium and long‑term infrastructure measures being advanced by Uisce Éireann to mitigate stormwater overflow impacts.

For the 2026 season, we will issue Advice Against Bathing notices, rather than prohibitions, reflecting both the evidence base and the strong overall performance of the site.