Swimmers who take to the sea off season are at risk of developing bacterial diseases from infected water, according to some water experts.
The Government and the Bathing Water Expert Group are considering changing testing schedules.
So that would include taking samples of the water quality at certain swimming spots year-round.
Sea swimming has grown in popularity in the past few years.
Water Quality Is Un-Monitored For 9 Months Every Year
Some regular swimmers at the forty foot in Dublin aren’t too concerned about the water quality.
However it does go unmonitored approximately 9 months of the year.
Dr Sonya Kidney is a GP and avid sea swimmer.
She says unmonitored water can contain sewage borne bacteria, such as e-coli, which can cause a number of diseases
"Gastro-intestinal illnesses, or maybe illnesses of your ear."
"People who swim in the sea have close to double the odds of experiencing some of those illnesses."
Cooler waters increase drowning risk - Easter appeal to Stay Away from Edges
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Water Quality Monitoring Needed Year Round
Dr Fiona Regan is a Professor of Chemistry at Dublin City University.
She says the recent popularity of past time means year round monitoring is needed.
Also ,she's developed a tool that can assess water quality in under two hours
"We've developed a sensor called Coli-sense."
"Which does not measure the numbers of coli forms but measures a response that equates to that."
The Coast Guard, the RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have issued a joint appeal today.
Those organisations are appealing to anyone who takes to the sea this bank holiday weekend to stay safe.
Officials are asking that people remain away from the edges and expect cold water - even if it’s sunny..
