Beaches

Beach water quality results are updated each week during beach sampling season in the table below and will be posted the Southwestern Public Health Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.

How to read the beach water sampling results

RED: High levels of bacteria may pose a health risk. It is not safe to swim.

GREEN: The last water sample taken did not show harmful levels of bacteria, but remember that weather or other factors may have changed the water quality since then. 

BLANK: No current sample to report.

Current beach water results

Oxford County Beaches

Routine sampling will not be conducted at beaches in Oxford County.

About beach water testing

During the summer months, our environmental health team conducts weekly beach water sampling. Water is tested for E. coli  bacteria, which is an indicator that there is fecal contamination present from either animal or human or both.

E. coli, as well as the presence of other disease-causing organisms, can cause intestinal illness or infections of the eyes, ears, nose or throat.

Weather conditions can also adversely affect water quality. If the water is cloudy from rough water or heavy rains, it may have high levels of bacteria for up to two days. The public is advised to consider recent weather conditions when deciding on whether or not to go swimming.

If water results show a public beach is unsafe for swimming, a warning sign is posted at the beach to indicate the water may pose a risk to your health and swimming is not recommended.

The recreational water quality guideline of 200 E. coli  per 100 ml of water is set jointly by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Learn more about how water samples are collected (MOHLTC).

Get beach water updates 24/7 through 211

Beach water quality updates are also available through 211, Ontario’s free information and referral service. Dial 2-1-1 to check beach status reports by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you have health questions or concerns about water-related illness, please ask your doctor or call Southwestern Public Health at 1-800-922-0096.

Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green algae can produce toxins which may be harmful to health through direct contact or consumption. Until further notice, residents and visitors should take the following precautions:

• Avoid swimming or other activities that involve direct contact with the water (note that children are more vulnerable to the toxins produced by the algae than adults).
• Do not allow pets to swim in or drink from the water.
• Thoroughly wash any area of exposure with clean water and soap, in case of accidental exposure to the water.
• Do not eat fish caught in water sources with blue-green algae.

While the blue-green algae may not show the presence of toxins, there is always a risk that toxins could be produced. Toxins may stay in the water for up to three weeks after the algae bloom is gone. Drinking water supplies from wells in the area have not been affected by this algae bloom, as blooms are not a concern for groundwater drinking supplies. The severity of symptoms and the level of risk to health depend on how you are exposed to blue-green algae toxins.

Human health effects may include:

• Itchy, irritated eyes and skin from direct contact through activities such as swimming, and;
• Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, if large quantities of the toxin are swallowed.

For more information, see the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks webpage on Blue-Green Algae.