As the summer winds down, the Sudbury and District Health Unit has removed swimming advisory signs at one local beach and posted them at another.
Swimming advisory signs have been removed at Nepahwin Park Beach.
The most recent water samples taken at the beach by the health unit are within acceptable bacteriological water quality standards for bathing beaches, said a press release. As a result, the beach water quality is once again considered suitable for recreational use at this beach.
However, the health unit has now issued a swimming advisory for Bell Grove Beach.
As a result of routine water samples exceeding the acceptable bacteriological water quality standards, the health unit has posted swimming advisory signs to inform the public that the beach water quality is not suitable for recreational use at this time.
A swimming advisory is a precautionary notice that informs the public about specific risks to health and safety.
Going into the water when bacteria are present in high concentrations puts bathers at risk for infections. Illness can occur if swimmers swallow beach water; if water gets into their ears, eyes, or nose; or if it comes in contact with open wounds.
“We have enhanced our monitoring and will continue taking water samples,” said Cindy Rocca, a manager in the health unit’s Environmental Health Division.
The health unit will notify the public when the bacterial levels return to acceptable standards for bathing beaches.
The health unit takes routine water samples every week during the summer from 35 local beaches. For information about beach water quality, visit www.sdhu.com.
