Most Niagara beaches safe for swimming
Those looking to escape the sweltering heat projected for Canada Day weekend can cool down at one of Niagara’s public beaches.
As of Friday afternoon, of the 23 beaches tested by Niagara Region public health’s monitoring program, only four, including Nelles Beach in Grimsby, Queen’s Royal Beach in Niagara-on-the-Lake, along with Bernard Avenue Beach and Crescent Beach in Fort Erie, were deemed unsafe for swimming.
Anthony Habjan, the Region’s manager for environmental health, said the season is off to a good start partly because there hasn’t been a lot of rain. Last year, the water testing was delayed by weeks as the Region saw more rain than it had in almost 16 years.
It can be challenging to test the water depending on the weather, Habjan said. A lot of sun can spur algae growth which makes it difficult to get a clean sample, but too much rain can raise water levels. Habjan also said a lot of rain can increase E. coli in the water because rain runoff flows into the lake and can carry dirt and animal feces with it.
The water-quality tests began on the May holiday weekend and will continue until Labour Day weekend.
As part of the testing, five samples are taken from the water about waist high, which is typically how far many people wade in. The samples are then sent to the Hamilton Public Health Lab and analyzed for bacteria and E. coli. Habjan said more popular beaches, like Sherkston and Nickel Beach, are tested almost daily.
Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, said the water will still be quite cool for those hoping to swim this weekend. “It takes a number of weeks and months of warmer weather to really see the lake temperatures rebound,” Coulson said. “It’s going to be cooler than people expect for this type of year. He said lake temperatures will increase a bit with the heat of the weekend, but not drastically. Though cold, he said a quick swim could be refreshing. “Certainly a short period of time in the water is going to help cool people off,” Coulson said.
For those planning to go swimming, Habjan advises they keep their head above the water and wash their hands after swimming.
For beach testing results, visit Niagara Region’s website at www.niagararegion.ca/living/water/beaches/default.aspx.