BBC News NI has reported that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is investigating a pollution incident at Belfast Lough's Ballyholme Beach on Ballyholme Bay to the east of Bangor on the County Down coast.
NIEA confirmed that it has received a report of pollution in the Cotton River in Bangor and a water quality inspector was tasked to investigate. It said that the pollution was confirmed and an investigation to determine the source was underway.
The story goes on to say that the Cotton River (more commonly known as the Ballyholme River) flows into the eastern end of Ballyholme Beach, a popular swim area. Of Northern Ireland's 26 sites, Ballyholme beach was the only one not to meet minimum standards for water quality in 2023. It was the second year in a row that the site had failed water quality tests. In 2024, Ballyholme received a designation of "sufficient", the lowest possible rating that still meets minimum standards.
The BBC NI also reports that in October last, it was announced that a study to investigate water quality at Ballyholme Beach in Bangor has been extended until February this year to better understand water pollution in the winter season.
Angela Halpenny, NI Water Head of Environmental Regulation, said that the Cotton River is "the likely source of pollution in Ballyholme Bay. She said that "preliminary results have typically shown high levels of E. coli and enterococci in the Cotton River but not in the marine environment of Ballyholme Bay".
The Cotton River flows in a northerly direction through farmland before traversing the now built-up area of the east side of Bangor and entering the eastern side of the Bay.
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