Durham Region Weekly Beach Report - Week of August 7, 2023

Whitby, Ontario – Throughout the summer, Durham Region Health Department conducts weekly bacteriological water tests to determine if beaches are safe for swimming. The Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Peterborough tests the water samples. 

Test results for the week of August 7 indicate that four public beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming. Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.

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.

*As a reminder, Kinsmen Beach (Palmer Park) has a blue-green algae advisory. People can protect themselves and their pets from blue-green algae blooms by not swimming or playing in areas where water is discoloured or where foam, scum, or mats of algae on the water’s surface are present. Consuming fish from areas where mats of algae are present is also not advised.

For more information about the Health Department’s Beach Monitoring program, visit durham.ca/beaches, or call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.