Check the Signs before Swimming this Summer

The Regional Municipality of York has started its annual beach water sampling program to notify residents if water is safe for swimming. Residents are encouraged to look for the red or blue sign before deciding to enter the water.

From mid-June until the end of August, York Region Public Health staff collect weekly water samples from local beaches for testing. Based on the results, a blue sign indicates the water is safe, while a red sign indicates higher bacteria levels which may cause illness.

These local beaches are included in the monitoring program:

Town of Georgina (Lake Simcoe Beaches)

 ·       Church Street Parkette

·        Claredon

·        De La Salle Park

·        Franklin Beach 

·        Glenwood

·        Holmes Point Park

·        Jackson's Point Harbour/Bonnie Park 

·        North Gwillimbury Park

·        Peninsula Resort

·        Riverview Park

·        Sheppard Avenue Park

·        Willow Beach Park 

·        Willow Wharf Dock

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

·        Cedar Beach Park

Water samples are submitted to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing to determine if E. coli levels are within acceptable limits specified by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. E. coli may cause skin, ear, eye, nose and throat infections, as well as stomach illness.

For more information on the beach water sampling program or to find sample results of a specific beach, please call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933 or visit york.ca/beaches