Scientists at NUI Galway warn that a deadly bacteria found in many highly rated sea swimming spots in Ireland is not currently tested for as EU regulations do not require it.

According to The Irish Independent, reseaechers with NUI Galway’s PIER Project found that more than half (57%) of all samples it collected from coastal bathing areas tested positive for Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC).

Lake and river bathing areas fared even worse, with 78% of sites samples showing signs of the particularly virulent form of E. coli.

The researchers said all of the sampled sea bathing areas — in Galway, Cork and Fingal — that had STEC present have been rated good to excellent for water quality by EU standards.

“These findings highlight the need to consider revision of current EU bathing water quality monitoring criteria,” the PIER Project’s Professor Dearbháile Morris said.

The Irish Independent has much more on the story HERE.