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Public Health Inspectors routinely 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 in recreation water may cause health related problems in swimmers.
The Health Unit will decide to post an advisory on a public beach when bacterial test results of the water indicate it is unsafe for swimming or recreational purposes.
Swimming Advisory
An advisory is a warning to swimmers but it is not a beach closure. During an advisory a beach is posted with warning signs when the water contains levels of E.coli that indicate there may be an increased risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness. If you choose to swim during an advisory avoid ducking your head or swallowing the water.
Beach Closure
A beach closure is issued when a catastrophic event occurs or an immediate risk to health is present. Sewage spills, toxic chemical releases and any visual blue-green algae in the water are examples. Beach closures are rare.
Tips to healthy swimming:
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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.
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Avoid swallowing or getting any water into your mouth.
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After swimming, completely towel-dry or shower to reduce the risk of swimmers' itch.
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Don't swim if you are feeling ill (diarrhea or vomiting) and take children on a bathroom break regularly.
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Do not feed birds and dispose of garbage in waste receptacles.
Other contaminants can cause a variety of Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs). Read more about :
Swimmer Itch | Swimmers Ear | Dermatitis
Information on other illnesses sometimes spread through recreational water can be found at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention |