Be careful where you swim this weekend, WECHU cautions
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's (WECHU) latest testing has shut down Holiday Beach in Amherstburg after E. coli levels surged above 1,000.
Swimming's also not recommended at Cedar Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Colchester Beach, and Seacliff Beaches.
But there are safe options — with Lakeview Park West in Lakeshore and Point Pelee Northwest getting the green light.
Sandpoint Beach is closed for swimming while the city reviews next steps for the area.
Water samples are sent to the public health lab in London, Ontario for E. coli bacteria count analysis. This season's sampling results are posted onwechu.org, and available by calling the beach hotline at 519-258-2146, extension 1490.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
3 hours ago
- CBC
It's a hot summer and that means blue-green algae is back, GRCA warns
New Keep yourself, children and pets away from algae because it can be harmful Caption: Blue-green algae has been found in Belwood Lake, the Grand River Conservation Authority says. Health officials warn that some blue-green algae can produce toxins that are harmful to people and pets, but you can't tell if the algae is toxic by looking at it, so you should assume it is toxic and avoid it. (Haraz N. Ghanbari/Associated Press) The hot weather this summer means blue-green algae is starting to bloom in local waterways, the Grand River Conservation Authority says. So far this summer, blue-green algae has been seen near the west side of Shand Dam at Belwood Lake reservoir. In the past, the algae has also shown up in Conestogo Lake, Guelph Lake and Woolwich reservoirs, as well as at Snyder's Flats. When an algal bloom starts to grow, "a noticeable green or brown scum will form on the surface of water bodies and the water look like green or bluish-green pea soup," the conservation authority says. "Once blue-green algae are in full bloom, it may look like spilled 'paint' along the shoreline. A new blue-green algal bloom often smells like fresh cut grass, while an older bloom can smell like rotting garbage." The algae grows thanks in part to nutrients from fields and lawns that end up in local waterways and reservoirs when it rains, the authority says. People are reminded not to touch the algae as it can be harmful to people and pets. As well as avoiding any contact with the blue-green algae, people shouldn't use water from a reservoir where the algae is found and should not eat fish from the water, either. Assume it contains toxins: health unit Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health notes on its website that blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, usually shows up in late summer or early fall and higher water temperatures help it grow. "There's no way to tell by looking at a bloom whether it contains toxins or not. As a precaution, regard any blue-green algal bloom as potentially toxic," the health unit says. People who do come in contact with blue-green algae may experience itchy or irritated eyes and skin, headaches, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea. If large amounts are ingested, there can be more serious effects such as liver damage. The health unit also notes infants and children under the age of six are most at risk of developing health problems if exposed to the algae. If someone does come into contact with blue-green algae, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health says they should rinse off immediately with clean water and watch for symptoms. If symptoms show up, speak to a health-care provider.
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Life jackets can save lives at the beach, and Grand Bend offers free rentals
Social Sharing Those swimming in Grand Bend can rent life-jackets while on the beach, officials with Lambton shores say — a reminder after several drownings in area waterways this summer. The life-jacket rental program at Grand Bend Beach has been in place for about a decade, said Ashley Farr, a director at the Municipality of Lambeth Shores. It was initially started to reinforce Grand Bend's status as a Blue Flag beach, a designation that requires high safety standards, as well as high environmental management and water quality. "The program has been fairly successful over the years," Farr said. "So we're just continuously trying to promote its availability and beach safety throughout Drowning Prevention Week." This year, the water safety-themed week comes amid a spate of recent drowning deaths in the London area, including the drowning of a 17-year-old in Chatham, an 18-year-old man in Ipperwash, and a 35-year-old man in Port Burwell. Risks apply to everyone, even strong swimmers. People who only go to the beach once or twice a year may not have their own life-jackets, said Stephanie Bakalar, a spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society. Lending programs becoming more common at Ontario's beaches, and even in some public libraries, where they're available for multi-day rentals, Bakalar said. Even though life-jackets are commonly used — and legally required — when boating or far out in deep water, any idea that swimming at the beach is not dangerous is a misconception, Bakalar said. It can be difficult to tell how deep water is and where a drop-off might be, as well as what hazards could be present, or how big the waves could become, she said. The dangers apply to anyone, regardless of swimming ability, she added. "If the waves knock you down and you can't regain your footing, you could drown." Some increasingly popular beach activities are risky to begin with, but especially without a life-jacket, Bakalar said. It's become more common for people to bring inflatables intended for pools — picture those glittery unicorn floaties — brought to the beach, Bakalar said. Because they float, they seem perfectly safe, even for non-swimmers, but they can easily deflate, and take a swimmer out much further than intended, she added. "You are brought out over your head so quickly and you're so far from shore and now you can't get back," she said. "Someone falls off, now they can't swim. It's an absolute recipe for disaster." A change in attitude surrounding life-jackets is needed, Bakalar said. There's a common perception that they are only for inexperienced swimmers or children, but the reality is that everyone should have one, Bakalar said, explaining that about 35 per cent of open-water drownings occur while people are swimming. To encourage safety at Grand Bend, the Lambeth Shores website gives more information not only about the life-jacket rentals, but also about structural currents and their flag system, which provides information about daily water conditions.
CTV News
11 hours ago
- CTV News
Mass illness linked to Saskatoon Farm food facility worsens
A gastrointestinal outbreak has now been declared at Saskatoon Farm near Okotoks, with the number of cases of people falling ill growing to more than 200.
