Be Healthy magazine Health-related monthly magazine
When the weather turns warm, everyone wants to be in or around the water. Hanging out at the beach on a hot day is a great way to beat the heat. Between having fun and checking out the lifeguards, most people don’t think much about water safety — but they should.
When the weather turns warm, everyone wants to be in or around the water. Hanging out at the beach on a hot day is a great way to beat the heat. Between having fun and checking out the lifeguards, most people don’t think much about water safety — but they should.
Toronto has some of the best beaches in the world, which is verified by the Blue Flag Program. This internationally recognized program awards blue flags to communities committed to maintaining high standards for water quality. From June to August, the City of Toronto takes daily water samples from the supervised beaches across the city and tests for E. coli bacteria. When E. coli levels are high, Toronto Public Health posts warning signs against swimming.
E. coli Levels and Water Quality
E.coli bacteria and other harmful organisms found in animal and human waste can be present in beach water depending on environmental conditions. These E.coli levels are measured by TPH to determine the water quality and the safety conditions for public swimming.
The standard for beach water quality in Ontario is set by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change at 100 E.coli per 100 millilitres of water. Swimming in water with E.coli levels greater than the provincial standard exposes the bather to increased risk of infections. These infections can include:
- Ear, nose and throat infections
- Skin rashes
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
Those most susceptible to infections from harmful germs in polluter water include young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The following notices are issued for each beach based on testing results:
Beach is posted as unsafe for bathing
E.col levels are higher than the provincial standard and may put bathers at increased risk of infection. To prevent illness, the Medical Officer of Health recommends bathers do not enter water until E.coli levels decline.
Beach is posted as safe for bathing
E.coli levels are within the provincial standard and bathing is considered safe for healthy bathers.
Data not available
Occasionally TPH is not able to test the water quality due to circumstances such as adverse weather conditions.
Look for these signs on the beach to tell you whether it is safe to swim. For timely updates on the beach conditions, please visit the City Of Toronto website, Safe Swim section: http://app.toronto.ca/tpha/beaches.html