Grey Bruce Public Health has posted Southampton beach as unsafe for swimming.
Public health says working in consultation with the Town of Saugeen Shores, the beach has been deemed unsafe for swimming after water samples showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.
This comes after public health took water samples from the beach on Tuesday and received results today. This is part of regular E. coli tests public health conducts on high-use beaches in the region.
The posting will remain in effect until more sampling shows levels have gone down to acceptable ranges for swimming and bathing at Southampton beach.
Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton says, “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.”
Water with bacterial levels above provincial standards for bathing can increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.
People and pets are advised against swimming or playing in the beach water at Southampton until the notice is lifted.
