Latest news with #PointeDuChêne
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Parlee Beach bacteria spike ‘alarming' to N.B. environment group
Beach goers are pictured scattered across Parlee Beach in Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B., on July 10, 2025. (Derek Haggett, CTV Atlantic) From red to green – a Parlee Beach Provincial Park employee switched the no-swim advisory signs to water open late Thursday morning. No-swimming advisories were in place on Tuesday and Wednesday after tests revealed high bacteria levels. According to public data on a provincial website, the beach result trends for Parlee Beach in Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B., were particularly high in one section on Monday. Data revealed a test sample contained 7,270 units of enterococcus per 100 millilitres. That was well over 7,000 units more for the same date in 2024. That's alarming to Arthur Melanson, vice president of the Red Dot Association of Shediac Bay. Parlee Beach Sign A Parlee Beach Provincial Park employee is pictured changing the no-swim advisory on July 10, 2025. (Derek Haggett, CTV Atlantic) 'Well the fact is when you look at this, it's 7,000 units and the standard when they put the no-swim advisory is 70,' said Melanson. On Wednesday, the community-based environment group released a statement to CTV News regarding Monday's test result. 'This last spike is alarming; it is so high,' read the statement. 'We have not ever seen a count that is this high in all the years we have been monitoring the problem.' CTV News asked the province to confirm if Monday's count was accurate and if it was an anomaly but did not receive a reply by deadline. According to the National Library of Medicine, enterococcus can cause UTIs, bacteremia and infective endocarditis. It's not known exactly what caused the high bacteria counts, but animal waste, either wild or domesticated, is believed to be a factor. Melanson thinks the province should do DNA analysis. Arthur Melanson Arthur Melanson, vice president of the Red Dot Association of Shediac Bay is pictured at his home in Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B., on July 10, 2025. (Derek Haggett, CTV Atlantic) 'If it's human then let's start looking into areas where that human contamination could come from,' Melanson said. Parlee Beach often posts a no-swimming advisory the day after a steady rainfall. The advisories don't mean the beach is closed, but the province warns swimmers not to swallow the water or swim with open sores or wounds. The province previously told CTV News that swimming in or ingesting water with higher-than-normal bacteria levels doesn't necessarily mean someone will get sick but it increases the risk beyond what's considered normal. The Department of Health lifts advisories when it confirms the water is clean enough for recreational use. Thursday's green signs were a relief to Sharla Rivera who brought her family from Washington D.C. to Parlee. 'Today was the one day that was going to make sense in our schedule for us in New Brunswick to come to the beach,' said Rivera. 'When I saw the last two days it was saying not safe, I was thinking what am I going to tell my kids? We can't do it tomorrow. We're leaving over the weekend.' Originally from Sussex, N.B., Rivera brought her kids to the beach on Wednesday but encouraged them play in the sand and not the water. 'We were still planning to come, but it does make it easier that I don't have to tell the kids to be careful around the water,' said Rivera. 'They can just play where they want.' Ewen MacIver from Montreal went in the water on Wednesday when there was a no-swim advisory in place. 'To be honest with you I didn't know that there was a sign up yesterday saying we couldn't swim,' said MacIver. 'It didn't seem like anyone had a problem with swimming. But I guess if I was swimming today than I would be relieved.' Melanson said he hears that locals and tourists always go swimming during no-swim advisories and don't get sick. 'That's them, but everybody has got a different immune system and that's where the difference comes into play,' said Melanson. 'You've got kids and you've got elderly people and you've got people with immune diseases. Those are the ones that are more vulnerable.' Currently, samples are taken in the morning by members of the Shediac Bay Watershed and sent to a Moncton lab. The results are then reported to the Department of Health and a decision is made about a no-swim advisory. The process takes about 24 hours. Melanson said a test that gives results in an hour would be better. 'The problem is not tomorrow, the problem is today,' said Melanson. CTV News requested more information on the testing process from the Department of Health on Wednesday and Thursday but are yet to receive a response. Parlee Beach sign The sign at Parlee Beach says the water is open on July 10, 2025. (Derek Haggett, CTV Atlantic) For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New Brunswick issues swimming advisories at Parlee Beach, Mactaquac
New Brunswick has issued swimming advisories at two provincial beaches following bacteria testing. The advisories were issued on Tuesday for Parlee Beach Provincial Park in Pointe-du-Chêne and Mactaquac Provincial Park. 'When bacterial levels are above guideline values, a 'No Swimming' advisory is issued,' the province's website says. 'In this case, the public is warned that the water is not suitable for swimming. 'When a no swimming advisory is in place, it does not mean the beach is closed. Many activities such as walking or running on the shore, hiking, relaxing on the beach and photography can still be enjoyed safely.' Samples collected at Parlee Beach revealed the presence of enterococcus, which can cause UTIs, bacteremia, and infective endocarditis, according to the National Library of Medicine. Mactaquac Provincial Park tested positive for E. coli, which can cause gut infections. 'Swimming in waters with bacteria levels above guideline values does not mean that you will get sick, but it increases the risk,' the province says. 'Levels fluctuate throughout the day so there is always a small risk of exposure.' The province recommends people avoid swallowing water at beaches, not put water on open wounds or sores, and always wash their hands before eating. Algae bloom The province is also reporting cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms at several lakes. Cyanobacteria, which is a natural part of the environment, can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. The most recent algae blooms include: Carters Brook (latest bloom on June 27) Darlings Lake (latest bloom on June 24 Irishtown Nature Park (latest bloom on June 24) Kennebecasis River (latest bloom on July 7) Kouchibouguacis River (latest bloom on June 30) Lake Herkert (latest bloom on June 27) Wards Creek (latest bloom on May 15) Yoho Lake (latest bloom on July 3) For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
