Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/May 20, 2022 – HPEPH operates a Beach Monitoring Program in order to test bathing waters at designated public beaches each spring/summer. Beachgoers are encouraged to check local beach status prior to planning a trip to the beach. Beachgoers can find the status of recent water testing by visiting the Public Beach Reports section at hpePublicHealth.ca, where updated beach reports will be posted on the Friday of each week. Beachgoers will also be able to tell easily if bathing water samples have identified elevated levels of bacteria by checking for status signs at all the beaches monitored by HPEPH.
No beaches in our area are presently posted as unsafe for swimming.
If you choose to visit the beach this spring/summer:
- Do not visit any public spaces if you feel unwell.
- Follow any local or provincial guidelines related to COVID-19.
- Wash your hands frequently before and after touching shared surfaces. Bring hand sanitizer with you in case handwashing facilities are not available.
- Take steps to protect yourself from the sun.
The annual Beach Monitoring Program ensures that beaches are posted when elevated levels of E. coli bacteria are identified at the time of testing. As part of the program, public health staff collect a minimum of five water samples from each beach scheduled that week for monitoring. These samples are sent to a provincial lab and tested for levels of E. coli bacteria. When bacterial counts exceed provincial guidelines, warning signs are posted at the beach advising that the water is unsafe for swimming, and notices will be sent to the media, and posted on the HPEPH website and social media.
We all have a role to play to keep local water safe and clean. To help improve local water quality, you can:
- Upgrade older septic systems and keep them in good working order.
- Pet owners should observe local ‘stoop & scoop’ bylaws.
- Detach eavestroughs from sewers so they discharge onto lawns to reduce the amount of rainwater going directly into sewers.
- Ensure that washroom additions to your home are connected properly to the sanitary sewers or your septic system.
- Fence livestock away from streams and provide them with alternate water sources.
- Ensure that run-off from feedlots and manure piles are properly contained.
Additional information is available on the Public Beach Reports page at hpePublicHealth.ca. For information on the status of Provincial Park beaches in Hastings and Prince Edward County, visit ontarioparks.com/alerts.
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Media Contact:
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
mhyland@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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