Eleven Durham Beaches Listed Unsafe for Swimming Aug. 30
Eleven public beaches across Durham Region remain listed as unsafe for swimming in the latest Durham beach water quality update available Sunday, Aug. 30.
The beach status was current as of 1 p.m. Sunday, although the laboratory results used to determine the listings were based on water samples collected on Aug. 27.
According to the latest results, the beaches listed as unsafe for swimming are Paradise Beach in Ajax; Beaverton North Beach, Beaverton South Beach and Thorah Centennial Park Beach in Brock; Iroquois Beach and Whitby Beach in Whitby; Kinsmen Beach and Rowan Beach in Scugog; Lakeview East Beach and Lakeview West Beach in Oshawa; and Newcastle Central Beach in Clarington.
Four Durham Beaches Listed Safe
Four of the 15 monitored beaches were listed as safe for swimming based on the most recent testing.
Those locations are Bowmanville East Beach and Bowmanville West Beach in Clarington, as well as Frenchman’s Bay East Beach and Frenchman’s Bay West Beach in Pickering.
The Durham Region Health Department monitors 15 public beaches throughout the summer swimming season. Water samples are regularly collected and tested for bacterial levels that could potentially create health risks for swimmers.
A Durham beach being posted as unsafe does not necessarily mean the beach itself is physically closed. Residents may still be able to access the beach, but swimming and other activities involving direct contact with the water are not recommended while a warning remains in effect.
Water Quality Can Change Quickly
Beachgoers should keep in mind that laboratory results reflect water conditions at the time samples were collected. Conditions can change between testing dates because of weather, rainfall, waves, runoff and other environmental factors.
Durham Region recommends avoiding swimming for at least 48 hours following heavy rainfall. Stormwater runoff can carry bacteria and other contaminants into lakes and waterfront areas, temporarily increasing health risks.
Swimmers should also avoid entering water that appears unusually cloudy, contains floating debris or has other visible signs of poor water quality.
Before visiting any Durham beach, residents are encouraged to review the latest Check&GO! Durham beach water quality results and look for warning signs posted at the beach.
Checking updated information before entering the water is particularly important when test results are several days old or recent rainfall may have affected local swimming conditions.
