EPA says yellow substance on water at Mountcharles is not dangerous

Fears that a yellow substance on the water at Mountcharles could be chemical in nature have been allayed by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

An agency representative took samples at Mountcharles pier on Thursday after being requested to do so by Cllr Noel Jordan (SF).

The yellowish colour and unusual structure combined with a chlorine-type odour in the area had led bathers to fear the substance was chemical in nature. It was not at all in keeping with the appearance or smell associated with sewage or agricultural discharge.

Cllr Jordan told Donegal Live: “The EPA testers did say that it was not a colour they had seen before, but tests show a very low reading of bacteria that would be well within the bathing water standards that you would get even at Blue Flag beaches. 

“They are also ruling out chemicals.

“The substance is organic in nature and has been seen all around the coast from Malin Head in recent days. They believe that it is most likely to be a large amount of pollen that has blown into the water with the dry weather and wind, and is accumulating in certain areas.

“When I posted pictures of the substance, I heard from a woman in Roscommon who said she had seen this same colour on a lake in her area.

“Bathers can be reassured that the water at the pier is clean, though I would always remind people swimming at Mountcharles to bear in mind that it is not a designated bathing area with the standards you would get at a Blue Flag beach.”