Beach Water Testing Program Begins This Week

Press Release – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has started weekly water sampling of the area’s public bathing beaches for this year.  The results of the testing will appear on our website and social media starting on June 28, 2024 and be posted weekly until the end of August.

Beaches are sampled once a week and monitored for E. Coli. Research has shown that when people are swimming or in the water (bathing) at beaches where the water has a high E. coli level (above the standard of 200) there is a direct relationship with an increase in ear, eye, nose and throat infections in swimmers. Therefore when samples exceed 200, the beach is posted with a warning sign “unsafe for bathing.” The bathing beach will remain posted until test results indicate that the water quality meets the bathing beach water standard. To help you better understand “Why Beaches are Posted,” check out the Health Unit website Beaches page.

Testing the water for bacteria is one factor used to determine water quality. The quality of surface water is changeable so the Health Unit advises bathers that before they visit a local beach, to consider other issues that may affect the quality and safety of the water, such as heavy rain in the area within 24 hours and water fowl droppings in the water or on the beach as these may contribute to high bacteria levels. Beach goers should also be on the lookout for the presence of harmful algal blooms and signs of accidental spills that may pollute the water.

Change rooms and washrooms may not always be open to the public so come prepared for the beach by changing at home. Remember to bring hand sanitizer so that you can clean your hands frequently, especially before eating.

For more information about recreational water safety or beach water testing results for this week visit our Weekly Beach Results page or call 1-800-660-5853. You can also connect with us on Facebook and X @LGLHealthUnit or on Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.