Water monitoring season is starting at our region’s beaches.
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) regularly tests beach water for E. coli bacteria from June 12 to Labour Day.
Results are posted every Friday on the health unit’s website and social media, and signs are updated at each of the beaches to match.
There are three risk levels: low, where the beach is open and safe for swimming; medium, where high bacteria levels are present and swimming is discouraged; and high, where the beach is closed because of elevated levels of bacteria.
“It’s alarming to discover that a significant number of beachgoers fail to check our beach water test results before they enter the water,” says Bernie Mayer, HKPR’s Health Protection Manager. “Our 2022 Resident Survey revealed that 69 per cent of respondents did not check the beach water test results before entering the water. Please, enjoy your summer but also prioritize your health. Stay informed, check our website before swimming and have fun!”