Kelso Beach in Owen Sound has been posted unsafe for swimming.
Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with the City of Owen Sound, made the posting after water-sampling results showed bacteria levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.
The beach posting will remain in effect until further samples show levels have returned to within the acceptable range for swimming.
“While we understand that this posting will be an inconvenience to some, we respectfully ask that residents and visitors respect this swim advisory as people are at an increased risk of getting sick or an infection when bacterial levels in beach water exceed Ontario guidelines,” says Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton.
Grey Bruce Public Health took water samples from the beach Tuesday August 5th, and received the results on Wednesday August 6th.
They say further sample results will be reported on as soon as they are received. Public Health regularly tests the water at high-use beaches in Grey-Bruce for E. coli levels.
The Health Unit says you should refrain from swimming or playing in the beach water at Kelso Beach or letting pets drink or play in the water until the unsafe for swimming advisory is lifted. They say water with bacteria levels above provincial standards for bathing can increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.
