Public Health Services beach monitoring program has started for the 2012 beach season
Public Health Services provides beach water quality updates on a regular basis during the bathing season (Victoria Day to Labour Day) for the following beaches:
| Name of Beach |
Open/Closed |
Date of Sampling |
| Hamilton Harbour |
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| Bayfront Beach |
OPEN |
May 16, 2012 |
| Pier 4 Beach |
OPEN |
May 16, 2012 |
| Conservation Beaches |
|
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| Binbrook Conservation |
|
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| Christie Conservation |
|
|
| Valens Conservation |
|
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| Lake Ontario |
|
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| Beach Boulevard |
|
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| Van Wagners |
|
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| Confederation Park |
|
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A beach is considered not safe for swimming when an average of greater than 100 E.coli bacteria per 100 mL water were present in the latest samples. Illness can occur if surface water contaminated with E.coli is swallowed, enters ears, eyes, or nose, or comes in contact with open wounds.
Factors that affect bathing water quality are:
- Agricultural/surface water runoff from land near swimming areas
- Storm water runoff from ditches and storm sewers
- Presence of waterfowl/animals
- Environmental conditions (i.e., wind/rain/sunlight/air and water temperature)
The beach water status is only representative of the water quality on the date sampled. Bathing water quality can quickly change due to environmental and weather conditions.
These samples are collected according to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Beach Management Protocol, at representative beach locations.
Water samples are analyzed for Escherchia coli (E.coli). E. coli bacteria are an indicator of fecal contamination from human and animal sources. The presence of E.coli indicates that other harmful micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites may also be present.
Don't Feed Waterfowl!
Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) has launched a 'Don't Feed Waterfowl' campaign to educate people on the health and environmental effects of feeding the geese and gulls along our waterfront.
You can help improve our waterfront by not feeding the geese, gulls and ducks. Visit BARC for more information.
Public Health Services monitors the shoreline and recreational water use areas in the western end of Hamilton Harbour from late August until late October in order to detect the presence of blue-green algae.
Growth of blue green algae occurs when optimal conditions are present in the Harbour (high nutrient levels, warm and calm weather). They can become visible as surface scums are blown onto the shorelines by light winds following calm weather.
Some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins that affect animals and humans. People may be exposed to cyanobacterial toxins by drinking or bathing in contaminated water. The most frequent and serious health effects are caused by drinking water containing the toxins (cyanobacteria), or by ingestion during recreational water contact.
For more information about blue green algae, please visit the following websites.
Health Canada - Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) and their Toxins
World Health Organization - Water Related Diseases |