Updated May 14, 2024: Water sampling for public beaches will begin on May 21, 2024 and will continue until the end of August. Beginning May 31, 2024, updates will be posted on this page as they become available.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health monitors the water quality for unsafe bacteriological levels at municipally designated beaches in accordance with the Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018 or current, from mid-May to the end of August each year.
A minimum of 5 water samples are collected at each beach selected for sampling (see list below) and analyzed by a Public Health Ontario Lab. When high levels of E.coli bacteria are detected, a warning sign is posted advising the public that the water is unsafe for swimming. Elevated levels of bacteria in the water may contribute to skin, ear, eye, nose and throat infections as well as gastrointestinal symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms of these infections are stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever. In addition, the beach could be unsafe due to chemical spills, debris, blue-green algae, etc. In these cases, HPEPH may close the beach until the issue is resolved.
Beach postings or closures occur when test results identify bacteriological conditions that may be harmful to the health of bathers. Throughout the sampling period, results are updated weekly on this web page. Current postings or closures in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties will be included on this page as well as circulated through social media and by media release.
Please note: While this page will be updated on a weekly basis throughout the sampling period, it is important to note that not all beaches are sampled each week, and sample results reflect conditions at the time of sampling. Water quality can change day to day due to numerous factors such as the number of swimmers, wind, high waves, heavy rainfall, presence of animals/birds, shallow water, etc. Swimmers are encouraged to monitor weather and water quality factors regardless of beach posting status.
Regardless of recent weather conditions and whether or not there is a posted warning, it is important to avoid drinking or ingesting beach water, as it is not safe for consumption.
Even when a beach is not posted as unsafe for swimming, beachgoers are advised that the following may affect the water quality and increase the bacterial levels in the open water:
- Rainfall
- Rain washes contaminants into streams, rivers and lakes. While small amounts of rainfall are unlikely to have much impact, bacteria levels may be higher after significant rainfall.
- Wind
- Wind can increase waves at beaches which in turn will stir up sand and silt. When the water is cloudy, bacteria levels may be higher.
- Waterfowl (gulls, geese, etc.)
- In some smaller bodies of water, or more confined areas of large lakes, the feces of waterfowl may impact water quality, causing an increase in bacteria.
- Wet sand and shallow water
- Shallow bodies of water are likely to be warmer, which means bacteria can increase quickly in warm temperatures. Bacteria levels also tend to be higher in wet sand. Be sure to use a hand sanitizer or if possible, wash your hands after playing at the water’s edge.
Municipal beaches
The following designated public bathing beaches will be tested at the identified frequency, based on the historical occurrence of high bacteria levels. The following beaches will be sampled from the last week of May to the end of August, 2024:
- Centennial Park, Deseronto – Bay of Quinte
- Frankford Park – Trent River
- Kingsford Conservation Area – Salmon River
- Tweed Park – Stoco Lake
- Wellington Beach – Wellington Bay
Due to historically low occurrence of high bacteria levels, the following municipal beaches will not be sampled by HPEPH on a regular basis in 2024. You may notice a sign posted at these locations advising that the water quality may be affected by several conditions such as rain, winds, fowl, and temperature.
- Centennial Park, Northport – Bay of Quinte
- Legion Park, Marmora – Crowe River
- Moira Lake Park – Moira Lake
- Roblin Lake Park – Roblin Lake
- Booster Park Beach – Crowe Lake
- Diamond Lake Beach – Diamond Lake
- Echo Beach – Papineau Lake
- Foster’s Lake Beach – Foster’s Lake
- Hinterland Beach – Kaminiskeg Lake
- L’Amable Lake Dam – L’Amable Lake
- Riverside Park, Bancroft – York River
- Steenburgh Lake
- Wollaston Lake Beach – Wollaston Lake
Provincial beaches
Provincial park beaches are monitored by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Their sampling results may be viewed at OntarioParks.ca. For general information for the provincial park beaches in our region, check out the following links:
