Recreational Water

Beach image Recreational water use is popular in Grey and Bruce counties. These activities can deliver important benefits to health and well-being. Yet, there is the possibility of injury or illness resulting from recreational use if the water is polluted or unsafe. Human illness and infection can be caused by organisms (bacteria, viruses and parasites) that may be present in pools, spas/hot tubs, and natural bodies of water.

Public Beaches

Image of a beach area

Beaches in Grey and Bruce County have a history of being safe. However, water quality can change from day to day or even hour to hour depending on the weather and other conditions. High bacteria levels usually occur due to weather-related events. The health unit encourages beach goers to make an informed decision about beach water quality in real time before you go swimming. You are the best judge of whether the water is safe to swim!

Before Using a Beach Answer 4 Questions:

When using any beach it is wise to assess the risk before entering the water. You can judge the water quality yourself by answering the following 4 simple questions:

Is the beach posted with a warning sign?

Do not swim

Has there been a heavy rainfall in the last 24 to 48 hours, if so, bacteria levels may be higher.

Do not swim

Is the water so cloudy that you can not see your feet at adult waist depth? Cloudy water may indicate higher bacterial levels.

Do not swim

Are there any other problems with the beach such as a large number of waterfowl, dead fish, algae/scum, or dangerous debris etc.

Do not swim

If you answered YES to any one of the 4 questions you should NOT swim. The water may have high levels of bacteria that could increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.

Avoid swallowing beach water no matter how clear the water looks!

Storm cloud

Remember, you should never swim during a thunderstorm or when there are high winds and waves.

For more beach safety tips go to The Canadian Red Cross

The following beaches are monitored monthly by Grey Bruce Public Health:

Public Beach	Location	Test Result	Date Tested	Posted
Station Park Beach	Kincardine	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Little River Park	Blue Mountains	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Northwinds	Blue Mountains	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Port Elgin Main Beach	Port Elgin	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Port Elgin Gobles Grove	Port Elgin	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Sauble Beach	South Bruce Peninsula	Pass	8/25/2022	No
Singing Sands	Northern Bruce Peninsula	Pass	8/24/2021	No
Southampton Beach	Southampton	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Memorial Park	Meaford	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Sarawak Family Park	Georgian Bluffs	Pass	8/16/2022	No
Lion's Head Beach	Lion's Head	Pass	8/25/2022	No
Point Clark Beach	Point Clark	Pass	8/15/2022	No
Kelso Beach	Owen Sound	Pass	8/16/2022	No

NOTE: The results shown are taken monthly and measure the E. coli per 100 ml of beach water. The results will be used to track long term trends in water quality. The decision to swim should be based on real time conditions and not the monthly test results.

Beaches at Provincial Parks are monitored by the local authority.

How are beaches selected for monitoring?

Beaches are selected for monitoring based on their use for swimming and other water activities. Grey Bruce Health Unit monitors the quality of the water at public beaches based on the Beach Management Guidance Document (2018).

A public beach is defined as any public bathing area owned and/or operated by a municipality which the general public has direct access, and where there is reason to believe that there is recreational use of the water (e.g. beach signage, sectioned off swimming area, water safety/rescue equipment) which may result in waterborne illness or injury as determined by the local medical officer of health.

Why Monitor Public Beaches?

The Grey Bruce Health unit collects monthly water samples primarily to track ongoing beach water quality and to monitor for the long term impacts of climate change.

Due to a 24 hour delay in obtaining water sample results from the lab, sampling provides limited assistance in determining the level of risk posed by recreational water to the users of the beach. This delay limits the usefulness of these results in making decisions about whether it is safe to swim. For this reason, the health unit promotes real-time monitoring of conditions at the time of use, such as water turbidity and recent rainfall, as the best way to assess water safety.

Water is tested for E.coli bacteria. Based on historical data, swimmers could expect the E. coli concentration to exceed 200 CFU/100 mL if there has been rainfall in the last 24 to 48 hours and/or the water is turbid or cloudy.

Why are Beaches Posted with Warning Signs?

Water Quality Sign

Beaches are posted if the Health Unit believes that there may be a risk to the public when the levels of E.coli exceed the federal guidelines. These guidelines are as follows:

geometric mean - ≤200 C.F.U./100mL of water; and
single sample - ≤400 C.F.U./100mL of water.

The posting is lifted when sample results indicate the risk has been reduced to a safe level.

Beach Warning Sign

A beach will be posted with extra signs when the beach is not safe for swimming. The signs are displayed in prominent positions at the beach to warn bathers of the danger.

Beaches are posted if the Health Unit believes that there may be a risk to the public when the levels of E.coli exceed (or are predicted to exceed) the federal guidelines (200 E.coli per 100mL of beach water) and other factors such as the environmental conditions.

Beach warning signs are removed after the E.coli levels or conditions return to acceptable levels.

Note: Beaches are only monitored for E. coli levels; there may be other harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites in the water.

What are some factors that influence beach water quality?

Seasonal and storm surface run-off into rivers and lakes
Pet waste run-off
Large populations of waterfowl (geese, seagulls, etc.)
Warm water temperatures
Malfunctioning private sewage disposal systems
Boating wastes
Agricultural manure run-off

Key Beach Safety Messages

Assess the water and environmental conditions before swimming.
Always swim with a buddy and keep a cell phone nearby to call for help in an emergency.
Life Jackets are Life Savers! Weak swimmers and children should wear life jackets in and around the water.
Always supervise children and keep them “within arm’s reach”.
Alcohol and swimming don't mix.

How can I help keep our Beaches clean?

You can help keep the beaches clean by following these few simple tips:

Not feeding animals or birds
Observing local "stoop and scoop" by-laws and always pick up your pets waste
Practicing pollution-free boating and disposing of human waste appropriately
Keeping your private sewage disposal system in good working order.
Stay away from the water if you are experiencing digestive or intestinal problems

For more information regarding the monitoring of public bathing beaches, please contact Public Health at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.

Public Pools, Spas, Wading Pools, Splash Pads, and Water Slides

Why Inspect Recreational Water Facilities?

Ontario regulations and guidelines set out minimum standards to provide clear, clean water and safe conditions for bathers in public swimming pools, spas, wading pools, and water slides. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and some parasites can survive in these facilities and may cause eye, ear, throat, and skin infections along with respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Injury or death may result from physical hazards, such as broken or missing drain covers which can cause severe cuts, entrapment, and evisceration.

Public health inspectors perform routine inspections of these facilities and work with the operators to prevent and reduce the risk of water-borne illnesses and injury or death. All pools and spas are inspected at least once every three months for year-round facilities, with a minimum of 2 times per year for seasonal facilities.

Summary inspection results are available at Check It

What are Owners and Operators Responsible for?

Owners and operators of pools, spas and Class C facilities (public Spray/splash pads, wading pools and Receiving basin’s at the bottom water slides) are required by law to operate and maintain their facility according to Ontario Regulation 565 – Public Pools under the Health Protection and Promotion Act R.S.O. 1990, c.H.7. The Technical Standards and Safety Association has authority over and enforces water slide safety.

At least 14 days before re-opening a recreational water facility, the owner or operator is to notify the health unit. Notification of Recreational Water Facility Opening

Please see the regulations, operator’s manuals, fact sheets and guidance documents for more information. If you require further assistance, please contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit.