The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has released the 2026 classifications for Northern Ireland's 33 identified bathing waters, with 25 sites achieving the Excellent standard, the highest number ever recorded.

The annual classifications are based on bacteriological results over a four-year period and rank sites as Excellent, Good, Sufficient, or Poor. Twenty-five sites met Excellent, four were Good, three were Sufficient, and one site, Rea's Wood in Antrim, failed to meet the minimum standard for the second consecutive year. Drain's Bay improved from Good in 2025 to Excellent this year.

Minister Andrew Muir welcomed the overall results but noted ongoing concerns at Rea's Wood, which experienced blue-green algae and was advised against bathing throughout the 2026 season. He said the situation at Rea's Wood is a clear reminder that significant challenges remain, particularly at Lough Neagh.

Muir outlined measures to tackle pollution, including new legislation to strengthen fines and penalties, ending the by-ball afforded to NI Water, making a special designation for Inner Belfast Lough as a shellfish water protected area, and introducing new Nutrients Action Programme regulations to address agricultural pollution. He said leadership from others is essential to back difficult decisions.

The Department is continuing sampling, monitoring, and investigative catchment work to improve water quality. It is also developing the Bathing Water Quality Dashboard to provide clearer public information. A pilot Event Duration Monitors Viewer will be tested at Ballyholme and Newcastle, using near real-time data to show storm overflow activity, with a public-facing platform expected ahead of the 2027 bathing season if testing is successful.

Northern Ireland Water has 2,433 storm overflows, with 800 Event Duration Monitors installed to date, prioritising bathing waters, shellfish waters, Lough Neagh, and other sensitive waters.

Muir also said a review of the bathing water programme is underway to better reflect how the public uses waters for recreation. The findings of a consultation are being considered, with an announcement on the way forward expected next month.