Avoid swimming at two public beaches in Niagara due to elevated levels of bacteria.
Hittin' the Beach? Watch Out for Sunset!
brace yourself, beach bums! The water's off-limits at Sunset in St. Catharines, according to the latest report from Niagara Region Public Health. Here's the skinny:
- Bernard Avenue Beach in Fort Erie passed safety inspection on June 10
- Casablanca Beach in Grimsby gave the thumbs-up on June 13
- Centennial Park Beach in Port Colborne scored safe on June 13
- Charles Daley Park Beach in Lincoln flunked the test on June 13 (Avoid like the plague, mates!)
- Crescent Beach in Fort Erie aced it on June 10
- Crystal Beach in Ridgeway yelled "clear" on June 12
- Elco Beach in Port Colborne got a green light on June 12
- Fifty Point Conservation Area Beach in Hamilton passed with flying colors on June 10
- Lake Erie Beach in Wainfleet squeaked through on June 13
- Lakeside Beach in St. Catharines passed with flying colors on June 13
- Long Beach in Wainfleet gave the all-clear on June 13
- Nelles Beach in Grimsby passed inspection on June 10
- Nickel Beach in Port Colborne earned a pass on June 13
- Queen's Royal Beach in Niagara-on-the-Lake got the thumbs-up on June 13
- Reebs Bay Beach in Wainfleet scored safe on June 13
- Sherkston Quarry Beach in Port Colborne passed on June 12
- Sunset Beach in St. Catharines failed inspection on June 13 (Avoid like the plague, amigos!)
- Waverly Beach in Fort Erie passed on June 10
- Wyldewood Beach in Port Colborne received the green light on June 12
Now, you're probably wondering what gives with Sunset, right? Well, here's the scoop:
According to health guidelines by the Ontario Ministry of Health, swimming water is deemed unsafe when one sample has 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 milliliters, or when the geometric mean of five samples hits 200 or more. See what I mean?
The catch? Testing, transporting, and analyzing beach water for E. coli can take some time, so the data presented may not necessarily reflect current beach conditions. Watch out for rain, wavy, or cloudy water, an abundance of birds, or after big storms—swimming ain't advised then.
Forgot your lifeguard uniform today? Don't sweat it! Consuming those E. coli critters can cause some serious tummy trouble, including cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Plus, when E. coli levels spike, other potentially harmful organisms are likely lurking, too—you name it: skin rashes, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections, and more!
And that's not all! A beach may be hazardous for swimming due to weather, runoff, pollution, spills, stinky smells, garbage, sharp debris, dead fish, and even blue-green algae—which can be toxic, you hear me?
On a positive note, this beach report gets updated every hour 'til 5 p.m. as new data rolls in from Niagara Region Public Health. Catch ya on the flip side!
Fun Fact:Did you know that E. coli is part of the bacterial family known as Enterobacteriaceae? They love warm environments and are commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While most strains are harmless, some can carry potentially dangerous pathogens! Keep an eye on your local beach reports to stay swim-safe!
- It's important to note that Sunset Beach in St. Catharines has been flagged as unsafe for swimming due to high levels of E. coli bacteria, according to Niagara Region Public Health.
- If you're planning a trip to Toronto, you might want to consider the health aspect of your visit too. In light of the current holiday season and focus on health-and-wellness, checking the nutritional content of foods available there would be a prudent decision.
- It's vital to remember that poor weather conditions can impact water quality, and this is not just a concern for beaches in St. Catharines. Monitoring the science behind weather patterns and their impact on water safety, especially in bodies of water used for recreational purposes like lakes and oceans, is crucial.
