Testing plan in place to check Boyne bathing water status

Meath Co Council is to appoint a member of staff to look at bathing water status on the Boyne.

The role would involve increasing access to the river for bathers and to improve safety with the provision of life guards, but also monitoring the water quality.

Cllr Wayne Harding has welcomed funding in Meath Co Council's 2024 budget for a staff member to be included in the environment section to specifically look at bathing water status.

“This move comes on foot of two motions I have had down over the last 18 months looking at how we can improve water quality, access and safety along the river Boyne for the many bathers who use the river during the summer months.

“I have provided the council with detailed information on user numbers at Slane bridge, a bathing spot known locally as “The Sluice.”

“Part of the new employee’s work would be to improve safety, monitoring the water quality to ensure the bather is safe from pollution. This in turn will have a dramatic effect on biodiversity of the river and will ultimately make it cleaner.

“I have consistently pointed out the enormous potential of putting people in the river and improving the water quality around them as is done in many parts of Europe.

“The new land acquisition by the State at Dowth for a national park has a mile of the river running through it and the existing world heritage site is at a bend in the Boyne at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. I want to thank our CE Fiona Lawless for an outstanding progressive budget and our present municipal district manager Dara McGowan for looking so favourably on this project,” he said.