The beach sampling program for the 2007 season ran from June 13th to September 4th, 2007. York Region Health Services monitored water quality at 18 York Region public bathing beaches to ensure that the water quality was safe for swimming. Water samples were collected from each beach site at least once per week during the summer season.  The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Laboratories Branch analyzed the water samples for bacterial quality. 

 

High levels of bacteria in the water can cause skin, ear, eye, nose and throat infections as well as stomach illness. Permanent signs are 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.
 
Beach closures

Beaches are closed when there are indications of hazardous or infectious materials present in the water, or in the event of a blue-green algae bloom.  There were no beach closures for the 2007 beach monitoring season.

 

BEACH POSTINGS

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. In 2007, beaches were posted due to high bacterial levels for a total of 153 days. This is higher than in 2006 when beaches were posted for a total of 80 days.

 

 

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

 

Town of Georgina

 

BEACH	DATE POSTED	NUMBER OF DAYS POSTED
Port Bolster	June 21, 2007	1
	August 9, 2007	1
	August 16, 2007	1
Peninsula Motel	June 21, 2007	1
	August 2, 2007	7
	August 16, 2007	7
Holmes Point	June 21, 2007	1
Jackson's Point	June 21, 2007	1
	July 12, 2007	7
	July 26, 2007	7
	August 30, 2007	6
De La Salle	June 21, 2007	1
	June 28, 2007	7
	July 26, 2007	1
	August 2, 2007	8
	August 16, 2007	5
Willow Wharf Dock	June 21, 2007	1
	June 28, 2007	7
	August 9, 2007	1
	August 16, 2007	1
Willow/Paradise	June 21, 2007	1
	August 9, 2007	1
	August 16, 2007	1
	August 23, 2007	5
Claredon Beach	July 12, 2007	6
	August 9, 2007	1
	August 16, 2007	12
	August 30, 2007	1
Glenwoods	June 21, 2007	1
	August 9, 2007	1

 

Town OF Richmond Hill

 

BEACH	DATE POSTED	NUMBER OF DAYS POSTED
Sunset Beach	August 9, 2007	1
	August 16, 2007	1
	August 23, 2007	5
	August 30, 2007	1

 

Town OF Whitchurch-Stouffville

 

BEACH	DATE POSTED	NUMBER OF DAYS POSTED
Cedar Beach	June 21, 2007	1
	July 19, 2007	21
	August 23, 2007	5
	August 30, 2007	6
Shadow Beach	August 16, 2007	5
	August 23, 2007	5

 

 

Beaches that remained open (not posted or closed) during the 2007 BEACH MONITORING season

1. Franklin Beach
2. Keswick Beach
3. Balfour Beach
4. North Gwillimbury Park
5. Island Grove
6. Recreational Island, Seneca Lake King Township

 

  
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 waste
 
For more  information about beach water quality in York Region, call York Region Health Services, Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.