Health unit begins water testing at Windsor-Essex beaches

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Beach season is upon us — and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is once again checking the waters to make sure they are safe for recreation.

After taking water samples for the first time this year at nine beaches across the region, public health inspectors are giving the go-ahead at all of them: Sand Point Beach, Belle River Beach, Seacliff Park, Colchester Beach, Holiday Beach, Cedar Beach , Cedar Island Beach, Mettawas Beach, and North West Beach at Point Pelee.

The samples were taken last Tuesday and sent to a lab in London for analysis of their E. coli bacteria counts.

Sampling will continue throughout the summer at least once a week, until September.

Typically, samples will be taken every Monday with fresh results posted every Wednesday afternoon.

E. coli bacteria counts nearing or exceeding provincial standards will result in the health unit issuing warnings or closing the beach to the public.

A map showing current beach statuses can be viewed on the Beach Water Testing section of the health unit’s website, wechu.org.

Beach-goers can also call the WECHU beach hotline: 519-258-2146 ext. 1490.

One tip for the season from the health unit: Avoid swimming within 48 hours after heavy rainfall, as that’s when beach water pollution is often highest.

Elaine Bennett, an environmental health manager with the WECHU, warned that swimming or playing in unsafe water can result in infections of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, and throat — not to mention diarrhea.

“Those most at risk are children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems,” Bennett advised.

Need some more advice? Get out of the water if you can’t see your feet when you’re standing in the water waist-deep, the health unit says.

And it should go without saying: Read and obey the signs posted at the beach.


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