Swimmers are being told to temporarily stay out of the water at two additional midwestern Ontario beaches.
Grey Bruce Public Health announced on Wednesday that Port Elgin Main Beach and Southampton Beach have both been deemed unsafe for swimming after samples taken this week found high levels of E. coli.
This prompted the health unit to issue no-swim advisories, both of which will remain in place until future testing shows bacteria levels have subsided.
Swimming in water with high bacteria levels can cause infections and stomach illness. That can include minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections. Symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
“While we know residents and visitors want to enjoy these final weeks of August and make the most of summer, we respectfully ask that everyone follow this advisory and avoid swimming at Port Elgin Main Beach and Southampton Beach until the postings are lifted," said Senior Public Health Manager Chimere Okoronkwo.
Water at the beaches will be retested Thursday
Beaches often get flagged for high bacteria levels in the summer. This is typically due to warm and unsettled weather conditions, particularly heavy rainfalls which can kick up contamination. On Tuesday, Huron Perth Public Health issued a similar advisory for the beach at Wildwood Conservation Area in St. Marys after it also showed high bacteria levels present.
