Beach water conditions have improved significantly across Durham Region, with only three of the Region’s 15 monitored public beaches listed as unsafe for swimming in the latest update.
As of Sept. 5 at 3 p.m., Beaverton North Beach in Brock, Bowmanville East Beach in Clarington and Lakeview East Beach in Oshawa were the only beaches carrying unsafe swimming results.
The latest laboratory results are based on water samples dated Sept. 2.
Three Durham beaches listed unsafe
Beaverton North Beach, located near Wellington and Victoria streets in Brock, tested unsafe for swimming.
Bowmanville East Beach, near Port Darlington Road and East Beach Road in Clarington, was also listed unsafe.
Lakeview East Beach in Oshawa, near Simcoe Street South and Lakeview Park Avenue, was the third beach with an unsafe result.
The latest Durham beach water safety report represents a major improvement from late August, when 11 beaches across the region were listed unsafe.
Twelve beaches now listed safe
The remaining 12 monitored Durham beaches were listed safe based on the Sept. 2 testing.
Those include Beaverton South Beach and Thorah Centennial Park Beach in Brock; Bowmanville West Beach and Newcastle Central Beach in Clarington; Frenchman’s Bay East and West beaches in Pickering; Iroquois Beach and Whitby Beach in Whitby; Kinsmen Beach and Rowan Beach in Scugog; Lakeview West Beach in Oshawa; and Paradise Beach in Ajax.
Residents should remember that laboratory results reflect conditions when samples were collected and water quality can change between testing dates.
Rain can quickly affect beach water
Durham Region Health Department tests public beach water for bacteria to help residents determine whether conditions are suitable for swimming.
When bacterial levels exceed provincial recreational-water guidelines, warning signs are posted advising visitors not to enter the water.
Even beaches with acceptable test results can experience changing conditions following rainfall.
Durham Region advises residents to avoid swimming for at least 48 hours after heavy rain because stormwater runoff can carry bacteria and other contaminants into lakes and beaches.
Swimmers should also avoid entering water that appears unusually cloudy, discoloured or affected by visible algae.
Check conditions before swimming
Beach visitors should check the most recent Durham Region results and look for warning signs posted at the beach before entering the water.
The Sept. 5 update leaves only Beaverton North, Bowmanville East and Lakeview East beaches listed unsafe, while the other 12 monitored beaches have acceptable results.
With conditions capable of changing quickly, the latest Durham beach water safety information should always be checked before swimming.
