Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with its municipal partners, has posted both Station Beach in the Municipality of Kincardine and Point Clark Beach in the Township of Huron-Kinloss as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.

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

“The Lake Huron shoreline area in southern Bruce County has experienced rain and higher wave action recently, which can increase water turbidity and, in turn, E. coli levels,” says Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton.

“We encourage residents and visitors to avoid swimming at Station Beach and Point Clark Beach while the swimming advisory is in place.”

As beach water quality can change quickly, Grey Bruce Public Health always recommends that people assess any beach’s condition in real-time and use their best judgment before swimming or playing in the water. GBPH recommends avoiding swimming 24 to 48 hours after heavy rainfall, or if you can’t see your feet in waist-deep water.

GBPH took water samples from the two southern Bruce County beaches earlier this week. Further samples will be taken Thursday. GBPH implements a beach water monitoring program each summer to test 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 Station Beach or Point Clark 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.