August 20, 2003 Test results show Cook_s Bay beaches safe for recreational use

Newmarket – Final tests of water samples taken from the five public bathing beaches in the Town of Georgina, along Cook's Bay at the south end of Lake Simcoe., indicate that the water is safe for recreational use and have reopened today.

Balfour Beach, Claredon Beach, Glenwoods Beach (Parkwood Ave), Keswick Beach (Church Street) and Maple Leaf Park (formerly North Gwillimbury) were closed on August 15^th as a

precautionary measure after raw sewage from the Aurora Pumping Station was discharged into the Tannery Creek for two hours during the power outage on August 14^th. Health Services tests have indicated that at no time did E.coli levels at the beaches increase as a result of the sewage spill.

York Region continues to take water samples in and around Tannery Creek and caution the public not to have contact with or consume water from the Creek and its tributaries. The Tannery Creek runs north from Aurora through Newmarket (Fairy Lake), Rogers Reservoir, and Holland River to Cook's Bay on Lake Simcoe.

Water supplies from both municipal systems and private wells continue to be safe to consume as they were not affected by the sewage discharge.

For further information about water quality or any health-related matter, contact York Region Health Services Health Connection toll free at 1-800-361-5653.

The Regional Municipality of York is committed to providing cost-effective, quality services that respond to the needs of our rapidly growing communities. York Region is comprised of the following nine area municipalities: Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville. For more information, visit our Web site at: www.region.york.on.ca

Contact: Patrick Casey, Senior Media Relations Specialist, York Region

(905) 830-4444, ext. 1235
Email: patrick.casey@region.york.on.ca

Test results show Cook's Bay beaches safe for recreational use