Hi all,
Regarding recent media reports about water quality in Lough Ree and more importantly Coosan point, I contacted Westmeath Co Co to clarify the situation, below is their response. Let me know if you would like a copy of the reports:

Jackie


Further to your recent query concerning water quality at Coosan Point, please find attached bathing water monitoring results for the 2011 season. Please note that the bathing water at Coosan Point has been analysed on two occasions this year and has been found to be of excellent quality in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations, 2008 (SI 79 of 2008). Furthermore, with specific regard to your concerns about recent media coverage of sewage discharges in the Athlone area, please be advised that there are no combined sewer overflows (CSO) from the public sewer at Coosan Point. The CSO referred to in recent media reports are located downstream of Lough Ree.

Jackie, I see that a month ago you were in touch with Westmeath County Council about the water quality in Coosan.

Now I'm not saying anything (that will only get me in trouble) but I've noticed a lot more 'plankton' like material in the water recently. After swimming there yesterday (and without going into the gory details) today I woke up as 'sick as a parrot' and 'weak as a kitten'.

As there may be a connection, it seems sensible to point this out to others, just to be on your guard.

I know, it's easy to say 'just avoid drinking the stuff' but who can do that 100%?

Has anyone else been affected like this recently?

Norman, I did a long swim there on Sunday and had no problems with the water quality, no sick dogs around. I didn't notice any scum on the surface but there was a bit more of the usually stuff floating around underneath.

I was in Friday and Sunday with no problems...still alive and havent started turning any funny green colours!!!

I went for a swim there last night and no problems. I feel fine (and yep I did manage to swallow some water)

Well I reckon 'forewarned is forearmed' and I'm happy for those who have not been struck down - if only for a day.

In another thread Emer Kilmartin tells of a local person who has got Wheel's Disease or Weil's disease. This can very serious and even fatal - as related in an article in The Guardian.

Whilst I had some of those symptoms, a day in bed and dosing with paracetamol seems to have cleared it up - so I may have been lucky. But the water in which we swim at Coosan is slow moving and even stagnant in places. According to the experts this increases the risk of different bacterial infections, so it just seems sensible to be vigilant.

Oh, and not wanting to alarm Wiggly et al but the incubation period for these type of infections is between 3 and 21 days!