The elevated bacteria levels of bathing water quality at Duncannon beach together with the loss of its ‘Blue Flag’ status of environmental excellence in 2007 ha

The elevated bacteria levels of bathing water quality at Duncannon beach together with the loss of its ‘Blue Flag’ status of environmental excellence in 2007 have had a major impact on the tourism potential of the area. For example, bathing prohibition notices had to be enforced as recent as August 2017, during the week of the Hooked KiteFest, due to excessive levels of Intestinal Enterococci (IE) in the bathing water. This main aim of this scheme is to improve the bacterial quality of the two coastal streams that flow onto Duncannon beach, by reducing pollution from agricultural and domestic sources. This should contribute to the recovery and long-term the retention of the Blue Flag status at Duncannon beach. The scheme focuses in particular on addressing rural point sources of faecal (and associated phosphorus) pollution. However, it does this within a framework of integrated catchment management, whereby a range of pollution sources and types are considered in unison, for multiple benefits in an integrated, holistic manner.