Test results for the week of July 3 indicate that four public beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming, according to Durham Health.
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.
Durham Health reminded residents that Kinsmen Beach (Palmer Park) has a blue-green algae advisory. Even if the beach is listed as open, people can protect themselves and their pets from blue-green algae blooms by not swimming or playing in areas where water is discoloured or where foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water’s surface are present. Consuming fish from areas where mats of algae are present is also not advised.
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.
