Halton residents reminded to check whether water is safe prior to swimming at public beaches
Published July 23, 2021 at 4:16 pm
Halton Region is reminding residents to check whether the water is safe at public beaches prior to visiting and swimming at them.
To help protect the safety, health and well-being of residents, Halton Region Public Health monitors water quality at select recreational beaches throughout the summer by performing testing procedures.
Beaches in Halton are selected for monitoring based on how often they are used for swimming and other water sports.
Additionally, the Health Department monitors public beaches to protect swimmers from illnesses that are linked to unsafe water quality.
Swimming in water with high levels of bacteria can cause an increased risk of infection in ears, eyes, nose and throat and gastrointestinal or stomach illnesses when water is swallowed. Additionally, it can be a hazard to swim in water that has excess algae or other debris.
A minimum of five water samples per beach is collected once a week and are analyzed for E. coli bacteria by the Provincial Public Health Laboratory. The results of the water samples indicate the quality of the beach water at the time the beach was sampled. Algae growth is also monitored by visual observation of the water during sampling.
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Residents can do their part to keep Halton beaches clean by not feeding animals or birds, observing local “stoop and scoop” bylaws, always picking up their pets’ waste, practicing pollution-free boating, disposing of human waste appropriately and keeping private sewage disposal systems in good working order.
To check for weekly sampling results, click here or call the region directly at:
- 311
- 905-825-6000
- TTY 905-827-9833
- toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866)
Photo: Halton Region
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