Know when to go…beach fun means safe water.
During the summer months Windsor-Essex County beaches are a great way to relax, cool down, and have some fun. But make sure your day at the beach doesn't become a day at the doctor and check to see if the water is safe to swim in.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit monitors nine public beaches each week during the summer to make sure that the water is safe for swimming. All public health units across Ontario regularly monitor E. coli levels in beach water. A sign that warns swimmers of possible health risks is posted at a beach when E. coli levels are higher than 100 per 100 ml of water. At these levels swimming isn’t recommended. If the E. coli count is higher than 1000, it’s NOT SAFE to swim and the beach will be CLOSED.
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The bacterial counts given reflect the conditions at the time of sampling. Conditions change from day to day depending on the weather conditions and lake levels. The bacterial counts for samples taken Wednesday, September 9, 2009 are as follows:
| | June 19 | June 26 | July 3 | July 10 | July 17 | July 24 | July 31 | Aug 7 | Aug 14 | Aug 21 | Aug 28 | Sept 4 | Sept
11 |
|---|
| Cedar Beach - Kingsville | 237 | 185 | 205 | 105 | 163 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 353 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 102 |
| Cedar Island Beach - Kingsville | 116 | 28 | 247 | 10 | 622 | 32 | 19 | 109 | 67 | 32 | 27 | 38 | 159 |
| Colchester Beach - Essex | 159 | 205 | 217 | 20 | 281 | 87 | 10 | 33 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 30 | 66 |
| Hillman Beach - Leamington | 169 | 27 | 30 | 16 | 262 | 201 | 16 | 182 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 147 | 67 |
| Holiday Beach - Amherstburg | 257 | 28 | 432 | 125 | 224 | 81 | 81 | 50 | 72 | 959 | 23 | 15 | 14 |
| NW Beach - Point Pelee | 145 | 17 | 145 | 23 | 309 | 108 | 71 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 74 | 20 | 10 |
| Sandpoint Beach - Windsor | 42 | 61 | 36 | 130 | 76 | 298 | 745 | 335 | 296 | 72 | 58 | 28 | 579 |
| Seacliff Beach - Leamington | 248 | 11 | 178 | 10 | 60 | 153 | 18 | 254 | 109 | 17 | 115 | 159 | 401 |
| West Belle River Beach - Lakeshore | 16 | 296 | 474 | 20 | 823 | 107 | 268 | 54 | 28 | 119 | 245 | 88 | 63 |
| Lakeside Beach | | | | 87 | 565 | 333 | 102 | 217 | 1000 | 14 | 26 | 20 | 611 |
Results indicate that Sandpoint Beach,Seacliffe Beach, Lakeside Beach, Cedar Island Beach and Cedar Beach will be posted as E. coli counts exceed acceptable limits.
As mentioned earlier this concludes the health units beach sampling for the season and all beaches will be posted until June 2010. For more information, enter ext. 1100 and ask for the intake inspector between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Please note: - E.coli/ 100ml - 100 or less ( < 100 ) indicates a low health risk - More than 100 ( > 100) indicates a health risk (red background, white text). |
