Beach Water Quality in Hamilton
Blue-green algae in Hamilton Habour
August 4, 2016 - Public Health Services has closed Pier 4 Park Beach from swimming and wading due to the presence of toxin-producing Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Blue-green algae blooms have also been verified at several other locations along the western shoreline of Hamilton Harbour, including the Bayfront Park Boat Launch. Contact with the water while launching or trailering watercraft should be avoided. For more information, view the media release.
- Government of Ontario information on Blue-green algae (PDF, 720 KB)
Hamilton Public Health Services monitors the recreational water quality at public beaches each year for levels of E. coli bacteria and Blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria). These beaches are monitored from the Victoria Day long weekend in May to the Labour Day long weekend in September.
Beach monitoring has ended for the 2016 season
Hamilton Public Health Services is no longer testing beach water quality. Beach sampling will resume in May 2017.
Current beach water quality test results
Bayfront Park Beach
200 Harbour Front Drive, Hamilton
Closed for the 2016 swimming season due to a history of high levels of bacteria and/or their toxins. Do not enter the water.
Board of Health Report to close Bayfront Beach (PDF, 284 KB)
App A - Letter to PW for beach closure (PDF, 508 KB)
App B - Letter from PW agreeing to beach closure (PDF, 495 KB)
App C - PHS Beach Monitoring Report (PDF, 655 KB)
App D - Bayfront Beach specific research (PDF, 6 MB)
Beach Boulevard
Beach Boulevard, Hamilton
Not tested
Binbrook Conservation Area Beach
5050 Harrison Road, Binbrook
Not tested
Christie Conservation Area Beach
1000 Highway 5 West, Dundas
Not tested
Confederation Park Beach
680 Van Wagner's Beach Road, Hamilton
Not tested
Pier 4 Park Beach
Bay Street North at Leander Drive, Hamilton
Not tested
Valens Conservation Area Beach
1691 Regional Road 97, RR 6, Flamborough
Not tested
Van Wagner's Beach
180 Van Wagner's Beach Road, Hamilton
Not tested
When a beach is open
- you should swim with caution
- there are no warning signs posted at the beach
- levels of bacteria were within the acceptable range on the date tested
When a beach is unsafe to swim
- E. coli levels are above acceptable levels
- there is an increased risk of illness or infection due to poor water quality
- warning signs are posted at the beach
Beach water quality testing
We monitor beaches in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's Beach Management Protocol, 2014 under the Ontario Public Health Standards. The protocol requires that we take water samples at the beaches listed above and test for E.coli at least once a week during the swimming season – Victoria Day to Labour Day.
Beach water quality test results
High numbers of E. coli in the water at public beaches indicates contamination with feces and the potential presence of other harmful microorganisms in the water. The provincial standard is 100 E. coli bacteria cells per 100 ml of water or 100 colony forming units per 100 ml.
E. coli concentrations at or above the standard could cause an increased risk of infection. Swimming in these waters could cause infections in ears, eyes, nose, throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if the water is ingested.
- Read the 2015 Beach Monitoring Report for Hamilton (PDF, 305 KB)
Contact us
For more information:
- Phone the Safe Water Hotline: 905-546-2189
- Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca
- Date modified:
