Stay out of the water at 12 Niagara public beaches
Bernard Avenue Beach in Fort Erie (1 Bernard Avenue) tested safe for swimming on July 15
According to public health guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, water is considered unsafe for swimming when one sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or the geometric mean of five samples is 200 or more.
Collecting, transporting and testing beach water for E. coli can take a day or more, so the latest available data may not reflect current conditions at the beach. Swimming is not recommended when it's raining, the water is wavy or cloudy, there are lots of birds, or for two days after a big storm.
Consuming E. coli can cause serious illness, including stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. When high levels of the bacteria are detected it's more likely that other harmful organisms are present as well, including those that cause skin rashes and eye, ear, nose and throat infections.
A beach may also be considered unsafe for swimming due to weather conditions, runoff, pollution, spills, smells, garbage, sharp debris and dead fish. In addition, public beaches are monitored for blue-green algae, which can be highly toxic to humans, dogs and other animals.
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Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Dropping the ball on home care
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Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Caution advised due to bacteria levels at some Ontario beaches as heat persists
Published Jul 29, 2025 • 2 minute read A group of young swimmers are seen in the water at Woodbine Beach in Toronto on July 9, 2024. Photo by Jack Boland / Files / Toronto Sun TORONTO — Some Ontario beaches have been deemed unsafe for swimming during a heat wave in southern parts of the province, but experts say public beaches — especially those in urban areas — still provide crucial relief from blistering temperatures. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto Public Health advised caution Tuesday at the popular Centre Island beach on the Toronto Islands, after water samples showed elevated bacteria counts. In Ottawa, counts at Mooney's Bay Beach and Petrie East Bay were above the provincial threshold, according to data collected last week. Ottawa Public Health transitioned this year to testing waters once a week, whereas Toronto Public Health continues to sample water from beaches on a daily basis. Public health authorities in Windsor and Essex County also posted E. coli warnings for several beaches in the region, based on testing done last week. Gregary Ford, vice-president of Swim Drink Fish Canada, said reduced water quality is usually caused by intense precipitation that overloads sewage and wastewater systems, causing increased levels of bacteria to flow into nearby bodies of water. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Generally, that's when we start to see these beach postings occur during the summer, particularly during these warm periods followed by intense storm events,' he said. Aside from checking water quality test results, Ford said it's best to avoid swimming 24 to 48 hours after rainfall to avoid wastewater runoff. Ontario's water safety regulations are also some of the strictest in the world, with a threshold of 200 counts per 100 millilitres of water, Ford said. Dr. Howard Shapiro, Toronto's associate medical officer of health, said Toronto Public Health uses an even more 'stringent' standard of 100 counts per 100 millilitres in its water quality testing. Despite the potential health risks, Shapiro said urban beaches are still a vital escape from heat waves and a way for people to cool down. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Even if you look at the temperatures in the city, it'll be cooler by the lake than it will be in other parts, particularly in areas that have a lot of concrete,' Shapiro said. Meanwhile, a researcher at Ottawa's Carleton University is currently testing the waters at five locations along the Rideau River to dispel myths about river water quality and safety. Banu Örmeci, the director of Carleton's Global Water Institute and an environmental engineering professor, said she's been collecting weekly samples from the Rideau River since the beginning of June, with each sample deemed safe by provincial standards. Örmeci said she hopes her work can encourage the City of Ottawa to consider opening more supervised beaches along the Rideau River. 'Not everyone has the resources to go to cottages, and it is really important to create these recreational spaces in our neighbourhoods,' she said. MLB Toronto Blue Jays Canada Toronto & GTA Canada
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Toronto Star
Caution advised due to bacteria levels at some Ontario beaches as heat persists
TORONTO - Some Ontario beaches have been deemed unsafe for swimming during a heat wave in southern parts of the province, but experts say public beaches — especially those in urban areas — still provide crucial relief from blistering temperatures. Toronto Public Health advised caution Tuesday at the popular Centre Island beach on the Toronto Islands, after water samples showed elevated bacteria counts.
