Portballintrae and East Strand fail to make Good Beach Guide

However, the Borough of Coleraine can still boast half of the beaches recommended by the MCS.

According to the MCS, eight beaches out of the 24 tested in Northern Ireland (one more than last year) have been recommended for excellent water quality.

They include Castlerock, Portrush’s West Strand and Whiterocks beaches and Portstewart Strand.

The impact, however, from last year’s downpours is still being felt with two beaches, Portballintrae, which was not tested last year and Portrush Curran East Strand, failing in this year’s guide.

The failure at Portrush Curran East Strand has been linked to a serious pollution incident which is not attributed to NI Water.

Portballintrae was not considered in 2009 by MCS as it only came on the list of designated bathing beaches for the 2009 season, hence there was no water quality data available for assessment.

Testing, which took place between June and September 2009, coincided with an extremely wet summer. Furthermore, data from the Met Office states that the summers 2007-2009 combined were the wettest since 1914. Angela Halpenny, Head of Environmental Regulation at Northern Ireland Water said: “In Northern Ireland, 24 beaches were tested, of which three received guideline and eight received a recommendation; an increase from seven in 2009.

“However, two beaches failed in this year’s guide, as opposed to one last year.

“While we are taking steps to improve our wastewater systems and progress is starting to be seen, we do acknowledge that there is still work to be done.”