Although most of Europe’s bathing waters are of good quality, some rural and coastal areas still struggle to meet safe standards. Duncannon, a small coastal community, has experienced exactly this challenge.
In 2007, the village lost its Blue Flag – an international symbol of clean, safe bathing water – due to high levels of bacterial pollution. The main causes included problems with wastewater treatment, nitrate run off from agriculture and contamination by faecal bacteria from livestock and manure.
The loss of the Blue Flag was a visible sign of deeper issues affecting both the environment and the local economy. Poor water quality threatened tourism, local recreation and public confidence in the bay.
The Duncannon Blue Flag Farming & Communities Scheme
The local community was determined to respond. Thirty-five farmers, together with local authorities and water scientists, joined forces to create the Duncannon Blue Flag Farming & Communities Scheme. Their shared aim was to improve water quality in the catchment while keeping farming productive and viable.
The first step was to understand where pollution was coming from. The team mapped the catchment, looking at rivers, fields and infrastructure, and used soil tests to develop Pollution Potential Zone maps. Each area of land was categorised according to its pollution risk and given a tailored nutrient management plan, including guidance on the amount and timing of fertiliser application.
Turning plans into action on the ground
Over the following years, farmers implemented a series of practical measures to reduce runoff and protect nearby streams and rivers:
Fencing was installed along watercourses to keep livestock away from banks and channels.
Water troughs were moved at least 20 metres away from rivers to avoid direct contamination.
Sediment traps and buffer strips with native vegetation were created between fields and rivers, helping to capture soil and nutrients before they could enter the water.
Farm roads were properly gravelled and drained, reducing erosion and the speed of surface run off during heavy rain.
Steady improvements in water quality
Thanks to these sustained efforts, water quality at Duncannon has improved steadily over time. Monitoring shows that the measures are working: less sediment and fewer pollutants are reaching the beach, and the local environment is in better condition than before.
However, while the situation has improved significantly, the Blue Flag has not yet been reinstated. Instead, the community continues to work towards this goal, using the Blue Flag standard as a clear benchmark for what they want to achieve.
The benefits of this work are already visible:
Healthier soils and livestock, thanks to better managed grazing and nutrient use
Reduced pollution and more efficient use of fertiliser inputs
A stronger basis for restoring tourism and recreation, as water quality trends move in the right direction
Learn more
Our latest animation below illustrates the efforts at Duncannon Beach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuYY8Img0bc
