A warning against bathing is to be placed at Rea's Wood on the shores of Lough Neagh after water there was rated poor for the second year running.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) recommended the advice notice for the entire 2026 season after samples collected during routine monitoring contained both faecal indicator organisms and evidence of blue-green algae. The classification follows the completion of a statutory assessment at the end of the 2025 bathing season.

The site had been nominated by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as a potential official bathing water during a DAERA review, triggering ongoing water quality testing. When a bathing water is rated poor, DAERA must introduce measures to cut or prevent bathers' exposure to pollution. Council officials said the position would be kept under review based on continued monitoring.

Sinn Féin councillor Annemarie Logue said she was disappointed the site was affected again, describing it as a very popular bathing location. An officer confirmed the presence of faecal matter and blue-green algae and said monitoring would continue throughout the season.

Alliance councillor Neil Kelly said previous problems had arisen when signage was not visible enough and stressed the need for plenty of clear warnings this year.

In a separate development, Varicon Aqua Solutions Limited has asked the council for permission to use the shore at Rea's Wood for a planned investigation into recurring algal blooms in Lough Neagh. The company identified the area as particularly suitable because of its well-documented history of significant bloom activity and aims to deploy equipment there during the summer months.