A temporary swimming ban has been placed on Front Strand, Balbriggan in Dublin.
Test results from a sample taken yesterday show 'elevated levels' of E Coli bacteria.
Swimming in or drinking water containing E Coli can cause fever, stomach craps or bloody diarrhoea.
Local Councllior Karen Power says the local authority doesn't know for sure where the bacteria is coming from, but suspects rainwater run off:
"That could be reduced by replacing hard surfaces at the likes of car parks and driveways with water permeable paving."
"It could also be due to - there's a lot of agricultural land around the town - if the runoff is from those lands Fingal should look at working with those farmers to develop more re-generative farming practices for better water retention."
Dog Poo
Mayor Howard Mahony says dog poo is a contributory factor to these swimming bans:
"A small amount of dog owners are being careless, but more inconsiderate than careless."
"They're not considering that other people are using the beach."
"It's not like days gone by where the test protocols aren't that accurate, they are now."
"We're very conscious, we don't want anyone getting sick from our beaches."
