Sampling Public Beach Water
Each year, we take samples of local beaches from June until the end of August to make sure the water is safe for people to swim in. Most beaches are sampled monthly, and few (beaches with a history of adverse sample results) are sampled weekly.
Samples go to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Sudbury to be tested for Escherichia coli (commonly known as E. coli), a sign that the water has been contaminated with fecal matter. It takes about 24 hours for us to receive and analyze the water quality results from the lab.
See below to learn about the status of your local public beach.
When is a Beach “Posted”?
If the level of E. coli in a sample set is more than 200 E. coli cfu/100mL, the beach will be re-sampled within 24 hours.
If the level of E. coli in the re-sample set is more than 200 E. coli cfu/100mL, the water is considered unsafe for recreational use, including swimming.
When a beach is unsafe, the “Unsafe for Swimming” sign (see below) will be posted to let beach visitors know about the high bacterial counts and potential threat to human health.
The sign is taken down when re-samples show levels of E. coli have returned to acceptable levels.
Between sampling periods, the beach water may have unsafe levels of bacteria due to:
- Heavy rainfall (the Rainfall Warning sign, below, is posted at all public beaches)
- Large numbers of waterfowl
- High winds or wave activity
- Large numbers of swimmers
When is a Beach “Closed”?
A beach is “closed” when a significant risk to human health and safety has been identified, such as signs of something in the water that could cause a hazard or infection.
Swimming in the water is NOT allowed when a beach is closed, and there will be little or no public access to the beach. A ‘Do Not Swim’ sign (see below) will be posted at the beach.
The beach is re-opened when there is no longer a risk to human health and safety.
Beach Status
There are 28 public beaches tested for E.coli in the Health Unit district. Water samples are taken regularly by Health Unit staff during the summer. Should you have any questions, please call us at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808.
| Beach | Location | Last Tested | Monitoring | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bell Lake Beach |
18 Bell Lake Rd, McDougall |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring | Open |
| Big Moose Beach | 60 Big Moose Rd, Corbeil |
June 16 | Routine monitoring | Open |
| Birchaven Cove | 465 Lakeside Dr, North Bay |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Callander Bay Beach | 833 Main St S, Callander |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Callander Centennial Park Beach | Main St N, Callander |
- |
- |
- |
| Champlain Park Beach | 1202 Premier Rd, North Bay |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Community Centre Beach | 701 Hwy 124, McKellar |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Doe Lake Beach |
Off Birch Crt, McMurrich/Monteith |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Doe Lake Municipal Park Beach | 1014 Ferguson Rd, Armour |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Dunchurch Beach | Across 21 Church St, Whitestone |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Elks Lodge Park Beach | 1200 Hwy 17 E, North Bay |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Eva Wardlaw Park Beach |
458 Lakeshore Dr, North Bay |
June 16 | Routine monitoring | Open |
| Fitzgerald Beach | end of Fitzgerald Bay Rd, Carling |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Foley Matheson Park & Beach | 125 Rankin Lake Rd, Seguin |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Lions Park Beach |
91 Main St, Sundridge |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
| Magnetawan Centennial Park Beach |
Hwy 520 (across from Magnetawan Centennial Park) Magnetawan |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Maple Key Park & Beach |
14 Maple Key Park Rd, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Mattawa Beach |
Between 4/5 St, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
McManus Beach |
Lakeview Ave, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Nobel Beach Park |
66 Big Sound, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Olmsted Beach |
60 Lakeside Dr, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Perry Clear Lake Beach |
188 Churchill Gardens Rd, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Rosseau Waterfront Beach |
5 Humphrey Dr, Seguin |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Shabogesic Beach |
117 Memorial Dr, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
South Lake Bernard Beach |
Next to 722 South Lake Bernard Rd, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Sturgeon Falls Beach |
End of Main St W, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Sunset Park Beach |
50 Sunset Blvd, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
|
Waubuno Beach |
End of Prospect St, |
June 16 |
Routine monitoring |
Open |
Not Tested = For various reasons, such as a harmful algae bloom is present, high water levels and/or debris are in the area.
For more information, please contact our Environmental Health Program at 1-800-563-2808, extension 5400 or by email at environmental.health@healthunit.ca.
Adapted with permission from Peterborough Public Health.