System for bathing Water quality Modelling

Programme 2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A United Kingdom-Ireland (Ireland-Northern Ireland-Scotland)

Date of latest update: 2021-12-20

Description

Description (EN):

The SWIM project will enable short-term pollution to be predicted, through the development of a bathing water quality prediction model and deriving from this, the capacity to inform the public through a series of media channels including text alerts and automatic web updates, and real-time communication via alert services delivered through electronic signage installed strategically at beach entrances. This will help to protect public health, significantly improve communication to members of the public, and in doing so contribute to promoting tourism.Achieving and maintaining high marine water quality standards is required under stringent EU environmental legislations (e.g., Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC), Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113/EC), and Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC). To ensure effective and efficient implementation of these directives, water resource managers need to know the water quality in order to take appropriate mitigating actions for social and ecological benefits in the event of pollution. This is particularly so for the Bathing Water Directive, where water quality is defined in terms of Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci (IE) concentrations as percentile limit values. Predictive capability and public communication outcomes of the project will help to serve the needs of both the Competent and the Health Authorities in the cross-border territory, with consequent benefit to local and visiting bathing water users. As evidenced by supportive correspondence, ROI (Republic of Ireland) and NI (Northern ireland) Local Authorities have committed to involvement in the project because the outcomes gained will be valuable to them.

Achievements (EN):

EU SWIM PROJECT CLOSES AS A SUCCESS! Just over two years ago, the EU SWIM Project was born out of the need for a predictive bathing water quality system. Such was the importance of this identified research gap, funding was provided by the EU’s INTERREG VA programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This successful cross-border programme, which includes 6 Northern Ireland beaches and 3 in ROI, has since developed a system for live bathing water monitoring, combining the expertise of lead partner, University College Dublin and Northern Irish project partners AgriFood Biosciences Institute and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Environment Minister for Northern Ireland, Edwin Poots MLA said: “The SWIM pilot project is a fantastic example of how we can embrace the digital age and the use of smart phone technology. The system for live bathing water quality prediction for 6 beaches in Northern Ireland and 3 in the ROI, has been developed through the expertise of University College Dublin, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. My Department plans to continue to work in partnership with local coastal beach operators and others to ensure that many more of our wonderful beaches can utilize this technology; enabling day trippers and tourists alike to plan ahead with up to date information on water quality at their fingertips.” Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in ROI said: “This innovative cross-border project is providing invaluable, real-time information on bathing water quality for the public on both sides of the border. The app and electronic signage are a fantastic asset for the swimming community and this project is making an important contribution towards keeping our bathing waters clean; in recent times this has a renewed importance as we all limit travel and we explore what our local environment has to offer in greater numbers than we ever did before.” The initiative has successfully enabled bathers to check bathing water quality before they visit the beach, with a free downloadable app on their smartphones. On beach electronic signage boards also deliver up to date data including water quality and weather reports. As a result of the combined effort of all partner organisations, EU SWIM Project has made a tangible difference to how bathing water quality is perceived by the general public. Importantly, the legacy of the project’s scientific modelling will provide invaluable information for future development.

Website: https://www.seupb.eu/iva-overview

Expected Results (EN): 2.2.1 Cross-border capacity for monitoring and management of marine protected areas and species

Expected Outputs (EN):

The project will commence with the acquisition of all relevant environmental data to determine current classifications. This data collection should be completed within 12 months. The prediction model already in use in Ireland will be used to collect data sets. The length and quality of data streams in NI is yet to be established. The model will be used for all ‘non-excellent’ bathing waters in the cross-border territory.

Thematic information

Water management Waste and pollution

Specific Objective: To develop cross-border capacity for the monitoring and management of marine protected areas and species in the region

Thematic Objective: (06) preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency by:

Investment Priority: (06d) Protecting and restoring biodiversity and soil and promoting ecosystem services, including through Natura 2000, and green infrastructure

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath

Department: Earth Institute

Address: Belfield, D04 N2E5 Dublin 4, Ireland

Legal status: private

Website: www.ucd.ie

Total budget: EUR 744 279.79

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

Name: Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

Department: Bridge House

Address: Paulett Avenue,, BT5 4HD Belfast, United Kingdom

Legal status: private

Website: www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org/

Total budget: EUR 60 962.07

Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute

Name: Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute

Department: Bacteriology Branch, Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch

Address: Newforge Lane,, BT9 5PX Belfast, United Kingdom

Legal status: public

Website: www.afbini.gov.uk/

Total budget: EUR 303 116.19

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Partners and Projects info

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

System for bathing Water quality Modelling

Partners and Projects info

University College Dublin

System for bathing Water quality Modelling

Partners and Projects info

Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute

System for bathing Water quality Modelling

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): System for bathing Water quality Modelling

Project acronym: SWIM

Project start date: 2017-01-01

Project end date: 2020-06-30

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 108 358.05

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 891 529.59

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, .

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A United Kingdom-Ireland (Ireland-Northern Ireland-Scotland)

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2022-11-16

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

33 / 33 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

175 / 175 (100%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme. Data of four projects (FASTER, ISIMPATHY, Sea Monitor, ONSIDE and SWELL_2) was retrieved by Interact from the programme´s website on the 2021-09-15 and 2022-11-15. Specific objectives were derived from Thematic objectives. Regarding partners data only main partners is available. Achievements were retrieved by Interact from the Programme website (https://www.seupb.eu/iva-overview), or a website directly linked from it, on 2021-11-17, 2023-02-01 and 2024 03 20.

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System for bathing Water quality Modelling

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

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Summary

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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