Information on Beach-Postings

WHITBY, ON June 14, 2012 - Durham Region Health Department has begun testing waters at designated public beaches throughout the Region as part of the 2012 Beach Monitoring Program. Test results for the week of June 11 indicate that no beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming due to elevated bacteria levels. Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care standard of 100 E. coli per 100 ml of water.

Municipality	Beach	OPEN/POSTED
Ajax	Pickering Beach	OPEN
Brock	Beaverton North Beach	OPEN
	Beaverton South Beach	OPEN
	Thorah Centennial Park	OPEN
Clarington	Bowmanville East	OPEN
	Bowmanville West	OPEN
	Newcastle Beach Central	OPEN
Oshawa	Lakeview Beach East	OPEN
Oshawa	Lakeview Beach West	OPEN
Pickering	Frenchman's Bay East	OPEN
Pickering	Frenchman's Bay West	OPEN
Scugog	Kinsmen Beach	OPEN
Uxbridge	Elgin Pond	OPEN
Whitby	Whitby Beach	OPEN

The Health Department reminds the public not to swim in beach water for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, as bacteria levels can increase due to run-off.

Throughout the summer, Durham Region Health Department will be conducting bacteriological water tests to determine if these beaches are safe for swimming. The Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Peterborough provides analysis of all water samples submitted for testing.

Each week when test results are reviewed, they will be sent to members of the media to assist with public notification of beach postings. Media notifications will be done by Friday of each week.

Media Inquiries:
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM:
Glendene Collins - Health Department 905-668-7711 ext. 2999