BARMOUTH BEACH - BLUE FLAG HOLDER
This is a prestigious award for a municipal beach signifying that the water quality is good for bathing.
- Barmouth has long been a holder of the coveted award.
- Fairbourne across the Mawddach estuary also holds blue flag status..
- This means beaches both sides of the Afon (River) Mawddach are quality sites for swimming and surfing.
- Wales has 42 such beaches awarded with the blue flag.
- By comparison England has 70, though you would expect some over 150, given that the coastline length is approximately 3.67 times that of Wales,
- The Blue Flag Award is based on an idea introduced in France in 1985 and originally the concept was to indicate that a municipal area used for bathing had adequate sewage treatment and a high bathing water quality.
- The idea was adopted by the European Commission as part of the "European Year of the Environment" in 1987.
- The award criteria has been extended and now encompasses provision of beach cleaning, waste disposal and recycle facilities, life saving and first aid equipment, drinking water, toilet facilities and restricted access of the beach to dogs.
- More information about blue flag beaches in Wales and about Barmouth Beach, in particular
Next by the harbour
