BeachWise

This table provides a summary of the public bathing beaches in Northeastern Public Health district, their current sampling frequency and status.

*Status may include:

• Beach is open: Swim at your own risk
• Do Not Swim: Beach is bacteriologically unsafe. Swimming in these waters could cause infections of the ear, eye, nose, throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if the water is ingested.
• Closed: Beach sampling results are not available at this time

Note: the beach water status is only representative of the water quality on the date that it is sampled.

It is not recommended to swim for two days after a heavy rainfall as this can cause high levels of bacteria in the water. Beach conditions can change frequently as a result of environmental factors and weather conditions such as heavy rain, wind condition, and presence of birds/aquatic life. The presence of birds can also increase the chance of Swimmer's Itch (see below).

Occasionally, a beach closure is issued due to chemicals, high levels of E. coli, sewage spills, growth of blue-green algae or when other conditions exist that make the beach’s water unsafe or unsuitable for use by the public.

Human and animal activities around beaches can introduce pollutants into the water. To help improve beach water quality:

• Don't use soap in the water. Soap nourishes algae and bacteria, helping them to grow.
• Avoid attracting animals and birds by limiting the amount of food taken to the beach. Don't feed animals or birds, and securely close garbage bins.
• Do not bring pets onto the beach.
• “Stoop and scoop” around the water area.
• Practice pollution-free boating.
• If you live near the beach, make sure your plumbing fixtures are properly connected for sewage disposal.
• Avoid using fertilizers near beach water.
• Fence livestock away from streams in farming communities.
• Control run-off from feedlots and manure piles.

How are water samples collected?

• A minimum of five (5) water samples are taken per beach. The samples taken are approximately 200 metres apart at a depth of 15 – 30 centimetres below the water surface where the water is 1 – 1.5 metre deep.

What are water samples tested for?

• Water samples are analyzed for Escherchia coli (E. coli). E. coli bacteria are an indicator of fecal contamination from human and animal sources. The presence of E.coli indicates that other harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites may also be present.

When is a beach considered unsafe for swimming?

• A beach is considered not safe for swimming when an average of greater than 200 E. coli bacteria per 100 mililitres water were present in the latest samples. Illness can occur if surface water contaminated with E. coli is swallowed, enters ears, eyes, or nose, or comes in contact with open wounds.

How will we know if a beach is unsafe for swimming?

• The municipality will be notified of the results and a notice will be displayed in prominent positions at the beach indicating the nature of the risk. You can also consult our website.

What about Provincial Parks?

• Provincial Park beaches are monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and beach water quality at parks can be view here.

What is swimmer's itch?

Swimmer's itch, also called schistosome dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). While the parasite's preferred host is the specific bird or mammal, if the parasite comes into contact with a swimmer, it burrows into the skin causing an allergic reaction and rash. Swimmer's itch is found throughout the world and is more frequent during summer months.

Symptoms of swimmer's itch

Symptoms of swimmer's itch may include:

• tingling, burning, or itching of the skin
• small reddish pimples
• small blisters

Within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water, you may experience tingling, burning, or itching of the skin. Scratching the areas may result in secondary bacterial infections. Itching may last up to a week or more, but will gradually go away. If itching is severe, your health care provider may prescribe lotion or creams to lessen your symptoms. If your symptoms persist, see your doctor.

Because swimmer's itch is caused by an allergic reaction to infection, the more often you swim or wade in contaminated water, the more likely you are to develop more serious symptoms. The greater the number of exposures to contaminated water, the more intense and immediate symptoms of swimmer's itch will be.

Be aware that swimmer's itch is not the only rash that may occur after swimming in fresh or salt water.

Children are more at risk for swimmer's itch

Anyone who swims or wades in infested water may be at risk. Larvae are more likely to be present in shallow water by the shoreline. Children are most often affected because they tend to swim, wade, and play in the shallow water more than adults. Also, they are less likely to towel dry themselves when leaving the water.

Avoid getting swimmer's itch

To reduce the likelihood of developing swimmer's itch:

• Do not swim in areas where swimmer's itch is a known problem or where signs have been posted warning of unsafe water.
• Do not swim near or wade in marshy areas where snails are commonly found.
• Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water.
• Do not attract birds (e.g., by feeding them) to areas where people are swimming.

Adapted from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.