Public health inspectors sample beaches once a week in the city and once a month in the district from the middle of June to the end of August.
High levels of E. coli (bacteria) in recreation water can cause health related problems in swimmers.
If bacterial tests indicate that levels are unsafe for swimming or other water recreation, the Health Unit will decide to post an advisory to let the public know.
Click on the links below to learn more:
A beach closure is issued when a catastrophic event happens or an immediate risk to health is present. This could be a sewage spill, a toxic chemical release or any visual blue-green algae in the water. Beach closures are rare.
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Swimmer's itch, also known as cercarial dermatitis, is a temporary skin rash that will go away on its own. It is caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and animals.
- Click here for a fact sheet that you can download
- Click here for a link to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website with more detailed information
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- Avoid swimming up to 48 hours after heavy rainfalls. Rain can carry bacteria from the street, parking lot and shoreline and flush it into our beaches causing potential contamination.
- Avoid swallowing or getting any water into your mouth.
- After swimming, completely towel-dry or shower to reduce the risk of swimmers' itch.
- Don't swim if you are feeling sick (diarrhea or vomiting) and take children on a bathroom break regularly.
- Do not feed birds and get rid of garbage in the garbage cans provide.
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