Test results for the week of July 11 indicate that five beaches in Durham have been posted as unsafe for swimming due to elevated bacteria levels.
This week’s beach postings also include the first week for testing at Durham Region’s newest beach, Iroquois Beach in Whitby, which is safe for swimming.
Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.
The Durham Health Department reminded 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.
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 analyses of all water samples submitted for testing.