Beach sampling season ends

NEWMARKET - The beach sampling program has now ended for the 2005 season. York Region Health Services monitored water quality at 18 York Region public bathing beaches during the summer months to ensure that the water quality was safe for swimming. High levels of bacteria in the water can cause skin, ear, eye, nose and throat infections as well as stomach disorders.

 

If the level of bacteria was high enough to cause illness, York Region Health Services posted a sign at the beach warning residents that the beach was unsafe for bathing and that the high level of bacteria in the water may pose a health risk. When the water was once again safe for swimming, the beach was re-opened.

 

In 2005, beaches were posted due to high bacterial levels for a total of 121 days. This is lower than in 2004 when beaches were posted for a total of 260 days. A summary of York Region beach postings and closures for the 2005 season (June 15 – September 2, 2005) is included as an attachment.  The beach sampling program will resume in June 2006.
 
Water samples were collected from each beach site once per week during the summer season.  The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Laboratories Branch tested the water samples for bacterial quality.  Beaches were posted when water sample results indicate elevated E. coli levels above the provincial guidelines of 100 E coli per 100ml of water. Beaches were closed when there were indications of hazardous or infectious materials present in the water, or in the event of a blue-green algae bloom.

 

Some factors that contribute to increased levels of E. coli in beach water include, but are not limited to:
• Seasonal and storm surface run-off into rivers and lakes
• Sewer overflows
• Agricultural manure and feedlot run-off
• Malfunctioning private sewage disposal systems
• Domestic pet waste run-off
• Large populations of waterfowl
• Warm water temperatures
• Boating wastes

 

New to the program this year, permanent signs were posted at the public bathing beaches reminding the public not to swim in water for at least 48 hours after a heavy rainfall. Bacteria levels can increase due to heavy rainfall run-off into lakes.

 

For further information about recreational water quality in York Region visit the Health Services web site at www.york.ca or call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.

 

 

Summary of York Region 2005 beach sampling program

 (June 15 – September 2, 2005)  

 

Water samples were collected from each beach site once per week during the summer season.  The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Laboratories Branch tested the water samples for bacterial quality.  Beaches were posted when water sample results indicate elevated E. coli levels above the provincial guidelines of 100 E.coli per 100ml of water. Beaches were closed when there were indications of hazardous or infectious materials present in the water, or in the event of a blue-green algae bloom.

 

1. Beaches Posted due to levels of E. coli greater than the provincial guideline of 100 E. coli per 100ml.

 

Town of Georgina

 

BEACH	DATE POSTED	NUMBER OF DAYS POSTED
Port Bolster	June 23, 2005	1
	July 7, 2005	1
	July 21, 2005	1
	August 11, 2005	1
	September 1, 2005	1
Peninsula Motel	July 21, 2005	1
Holmes Point	July 21, 2005	1
Jackson’s Point	June 16, 2005	5
	June 23, 2005	1
	July 7, 2005	1
	August 25, 2005	5
	September 1, 2005	1
De La Salle	June 23, 2005	1
	June 30, 2005	4
	July 28, 2005	15
	September 1, 2005	1
Franklin Beach	June 23, 2005	1
	July 7, 2005	1
	July 28, 2005	1
	September 1, 2005	1
Willow Beach Dock	June 23, 2005	1
	July 7, 2005	1
	September 1, 2005	1
Willow/Paradise	June 23, 2005	1
	July 7, 2005	5
	July 21, 2005	1
	July 28, 2005	1
	August 11, 2005	1
	August 18, 2005	1
	August 25, 2005	1
	September 1, 2005	6
Island Grove	June 23, 2005	1
	July 7, 2005	1
Balfour Beach	June 16, 2005	1
Keswick Beach	June 16, 2005	1
	August 4, 2005	1
	September 1, 2005	1
Claredon Beach	June 16, 2005	1
Parkwoods/Glenwoods	June 16, 2005	5
	June 30, 2005	1

 

Township of King

 

Beach	Date Posted	Number of Days Posted
Recreation Island at Seneca College	July 14, 2005	1
	July 28, 2005	1

 

Town of Richmond Hill

 

Beach	Date Posted	Number of Days Posted
Lake Wilcox, Sunset Beach	June 23, 2005	7
	August 4, 2005	8
	September 1, 2005	6

 

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Beach	Date Posted	Number of Days Posted	Date Closed	Number of Days Closed (due to unsafe conditions)
Cedar Beach, Musselman’s Lake	July 4, 2005	7
	August 26, 2005	13
Shadow Lake			July 28, 2005	7

 

 

2. Beaches that have remained open (not posted or closed) throughout the season:

 

1. Island Grove, Georgina

2. Maple Leaf Park, Georgina

-30-

 

Media Contact:           Kim Clark, York Region Health Services

                                    905-830-4444 Ext. 4101

                                    kim.clark@york.ca