Are you going to the beach? Check swimming advisories first

PRESS RELEASE
SIMCOE MUSKOKA DISTRICT SANITARY UNIT
************************
Summer is here and there’s nothing like spending a day at one of Simcoe Muskoka’s many beaches. Before you hit the beach, be sure to check the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) beach advisory webpage for a list of public beaches with a swimming advisory.

During the summer, more than 50 designated public beaches in Simcoe Muskoka are regularly tested for E. coli bacteria. When bacteria levels exceed Ontario guidelines, there may be a higher than normal risk of illness or infection. When this happens, a swimming advisory is posted on the beach informing people of the potential risk until tests show the bacteria are back within acceptable limits. In rare cases, when a significant risk to health and safety has been identified, a beach will be closed.

Beachgoers are reminded that water quality can change from hour to hour depending on weather and lake conditions. Although the latest available information is posted on the health facility’s website, it may not reflect real-time conditions on the beach, so it’s important to know what environmental factors to be aware of and how to minimize your risk .

Beach water quality can be affected by rainfall that washes everything from the surrounding surfaces, such as bird and dog feces, trash, and chemicals into the water. It is best to avoid swimming for 24-48 hours after a heavy rain. People who choose to swim after it rains should avoid submerging their heads and never swallow the water. Cloudy water created by strong winds that stir up sand and silt is also linked to high levels of bacteria. If you can’t see your feet when you’re deep in water, the bacteria level may be higher.

Warm, shallow, slow-moving bodies of water and wet sand are other excellent breeding grounds for E. coli and other organisms, so it’s essential that people wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently while visiting and have picnics at the beach.

Beaches can also be unsafe due to excessive weed growth, oil, floating debris, turbidity and blue-green algae blooms. In addition to water sampling, the health facility conducts environmental safety assessments as part of its summer beach program.

For more information on beach water safety, visit the SMDHU website or call the Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 30.

************************