Hot weather brings threat of algae growth
On Thursday 10 of 24 public beaches were not suitable for swimming due to high E. coli levels
High E. coli levels were a problem on Niagara beaches earlier this week.
But with unusually hot temperatures and extreme humidity expected to set in, the concern now is for algae growth.
On Thursday, following rain the day before, 10 of the 24 public beaches monitored by Niagara Region health officials were posted not suitable for swimming for showing high levels of E. coli bacteria.
Five of the beaches were on Lake Erie, the other five on Lake Ontario.
“We’ve noticed over the years that whenever it rains we always have an increase in E. coli,” said Anthony Habjan, manager of environmental health.
“Usually we see it for 24 to 48 hours. As the rain pours in, it kind of washes into the beaches and we get that spike.”
The source can include activities near the shoreline like farming or construction, and wildlife like animals or birds on shore.
“This year has actually been pretty good, given the fact we have had high lake water levels.”
So far in 2019, Lake Erie beaches have been posted as being a health risk for swimmers 12 per cent of the time, while Lake Ontario beaches were posted 56 per cent of the days.
That second number is skewed somewhat by the fact Lakeside Beach in St. Catharines has seen such high water levels that testing can’t safely be done. Because of that, the Region has been posting it as unsafe every day.
Every public beach in Niagara is tested daily during the summer. Five samples are taken at each site and the test results are averaged out before it’s decided whether the beach should be posted.
“We want to say that this beach exceeds levels but if people choose to go in, while we can’t stop them we want to educate them.”
Besides E. coli bacteria, other contaminants in the water can include viruses and parasites.
If people still choose to go in when warning signs are posted, Habjan said, they should be careful not to swallow any of the water (which can cause diarrhea) or get it into their eyes, ears, nose or throat (that can lead to infections).
And if they go in, people should be sure to wash their hands with soap or use hand sanitizer when they get out so germs don’t get onto the food they eat.