Water quality dip at Waterford beach was due to faecal bacteria not the dead whale
Whale carcass in January. Picture by John Foley
The water quality at Clonea Beach “dipped” but not because of a decomposing whale.
That is according to Waterford City and County Council officials at the June sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council.
Senior Executive Officer Dawn Wallace explained that the bacteria that caused the water quality dip were Enterococcus and E-coli, which are related to faecal matter.
Ms Wallace said the testing followed a lot of heavy rain and that whales often decompose in the water.
“It is not related to the beached whale. I think we have made that clear on multiple occasions. The bacteria are different,” said Ms Wallace.
Director of Roads Gabriel Hynes supported his environmental colleague.
“No connection, lads. No connection 100%,” said Mr Hynes.
The officials were responding to queries by Councillor Thomas Phelan.
Cllr Phelan was raising a concern that the water quality at Clonea Beach had gone from excellent to good recently and emphasised the need to look after the amenity.
That, he said, reminded him of the whale which “continues to putrefy and decompose on the rocks and it's in a worse state than ever.”
He asked that the council consider removing the carcass.
