Test results for the week of August 17 indicate that all beaches listed as open are 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.
*Kinsmen Beach in Lake Scugog is closed due to elevated levels of toxins from blue-green algae that are present in the water. Test results from water samples taken on August 5 by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, indicate that toxins are at levels that exceed Health Canada’s recommended guidelines for recreational water.
**A Blue Green Algae Advisory sign has been posted at Elgin Pond, Uxbridge, due to the identification of a blue green algae 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.