Durham Region Health Department has started testing waters at designated public beaches throughout the region as part of the 2020 Beach Monitoring Program.
Test results for the week of June 19 indicate that no beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming due to elevated bacteria levels, it said.
However, five area beaches have been closed by the local municipalities and were not tested by the Health Department.
*The Health Department has been advised by the Township of Brock and the City of Oshawa that the beaches in these municipalities are currently closed.
**A Blue Green Algae Advisory sign has been posted at Elgin Pond due to the identification of a small blue green algal bloom. Therefore, water samples were not collected this week from Elgin Pond for testing.
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.
Why are those beaches closed?
Local municipalities have closed them to contain spread of Covid-19 – Editor