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Print | YORK REGION>Services>Public Health and Safety>Safe Water Program |
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Public Health Inspectors sample York Region's public bathing beaches twice a week during the summer months, to ensure that the water quality is safe for swimming. High levels of bacteria can cause skin, ear, eye, nose and throat infections as well as stomach disorders such as diarrhea.
Eighteen beaches in the Region are routinely sampled. Although the majority of these are located on Lake Simcoe, the beaches at Lake Wilcox, Musselman's Lake and Recreation Island at Seneca College in King City are also sampled.
At the beginning of the season, inspectors map out the beaches and carry out Beach Pollution Surveys. These surveys are an on-site investigation into factors and conditions that may influence the quality of the bathing beach water including possible sources of pollution.
If bacteria counts exceed provincial guidelines (100 E. coli per 100ml of water), the beaches are posted advising the public that the water is unsafe for swimming. Samples continue to be taken and once it is determined that the bacteria levels are under 100 E. coli per 100 ml of water, the posting is taken down.
In addition to high levels of bacteria, there are other reasons for posting beaches. Beaches will be posted when there are indications of hazardous or infectious materials present in the water, or when the water is turbid. (The bottom should be visible at a depth of one metre.)
A beach will be closed by the Public Health Inspector if there is an immediate health hazard such as Blue-green algae present. A beach closure prohibits people from swimming in the affected beach until further notice.
Several beach associations monitor their own beach water quality. Their sampling programs are set up with assistance from the Health Services Department. We welcome the opportunity to assist all beach associations with the set-up of sampling programs.
Information about which beaches are sampled and the status of these bathing beaches during the summer months can be obtained by calling Health Services Health Connection at:
1–800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933.
