Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with the Town of the Blue Mountains, has posted Northwinds Beach near Craigleith as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.

The beach posting will remain in effect until further samples show levels have returned to within the acceptable range for swimming/bathing.

“These results are likely due to the heavy rainfall the area experienced last weekend,” says Senior Public Health Manager Chimere Okoronkwo.

“While we understand that this posting will be an inconvenience to some – especially ahead of a summer weekend – we respectfully ask that residents and visitors respect this swim advisory as people are at an increased risk of getting sick or an infection when bacterial levels in beach water exceed Ontario guidelines.”

GBPH took water samples from the beach Tuesday and received the results Thursday. Further samples were taken Friday morning, with results expected early next week. GBPH regularly tests the water at high-use beaches in Grey-Bruce for E. coli levels.

Residents and visitors should refrain from swimming or playing in the beach water at Northwinds Beach or let pets drink or play in the water until the unsafe for swimming advisory is lifted. Water with bacterial levels above provincial standards for bathing can increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.