Bowmanville Beach East, Kinsmen Beach in Port Perry off limits for swimming

Just two beaches in Durham Region and only one beach on the heavily-used Lake Ontario shoreline has been posted as unsafe for swimming because of elevated levels of E. coli.

(Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when E. coli levels exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100ml of water.)

Bowmanville Beach East on Lake Ontario and Kinsmen Beach on Lake Scugog in Port Perry both received failing marks. And while Kinsmen Beach was posted for exceeding levels of E. coli this week, public advisory signs are also posted in the area due to the presence of blue green algae.

Frenchman’s Bay West Beach in Pickering was not tested this week due to ongoing construction and restricted public access in the area. Durham Region’s Health Department will continue to monitor access to Frenchman’s Bay West and normal sampling will start again once construction is completed.

Also note that although Paradise Beach in Ajax is not posted for exceeding levels of E. coli, this beach now has public advisory signs posted in the area due to the presence of blue green algae.

The Health Department reminds the public not to swim in beach water for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, as bacteria levels can increase due to run-off.

Declared safe for swimming is Bowmanville Beach West, Frenchman’s Bay East (Pickering), Whitby Beach, Newcastle Beach Central, Lakeview Beach East & West in Oshawa and Paradise Beach in Ajax; all on Lake Ontario.

Also good to go is Beaverton Beach South & North and Thorah Centennial Park on Lake Simcoe and Elgin Pond in Uxbridge.

Throughout the summer, the Health Department will be conducting bacteriological water tests to determine if these beaches are safe for swimming. The Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Peterborough provides analysis of all water samples submitted for testing.

For more information about the Health Department’s Beach Monitoring program visit durham.ca/beaches, or call the Environmental Help Line at 905-723-3818 or 1-888-777-9613.