Warm weather is here, but you might want to wait a bit before hitting the beach.
The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit (CKPHU) doesn't start public beach surveillance, including water sampling, until Monday, June 22.
"This timing coincides with warming water temperatures as well as increased usage of beaches and beach water by the public," explained Cara Robinson, CKPHU's Program Manager for Healthy Environments. "CK Public Health conducts beach surveillance and beach water sampling on a monthly basis during the months of June, July, and August, resulting in three surveillance dates at seven local public beaches."
The main thing the CKPHU tests for is the presence of a blue-green algae bloom or E.coli bacteria.
Additional testing will happen in the case of an algae bloom, and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks will also be called in to investigate.
According to Robinson, beaches don't necessarily close in the case of elevated bacterial levels.
"The reason for this is that water conditions change frequently based primarily on recent weather patterns, and water quality may have completely changed several days later when we receive water sample laboratory results as compared with the date the samples were taken," Robinson stated. "Local public beaches are equipped with advisory signs at all points of access to the beach, warning users that the water can sometimes have high levels of bacteria. Beach water users should always be careful, because the water may have high bacterial counts."
The best way to protect yourself from potential bacteria at the beach includes:
• not swallowing lake water
• not swimming for 48 hours after heavy rain
• not swimming with cuts, wounds, or when feeling unwell
• not swimming in murky water
• washing hands before eating
• showering after swimming
Other health hazards that could see a beach closure are chemical, oil, sewage, or other waste spills, die-off of fish or other wildlife, or potential safety hazards.
The last time CKPHU had to close a beach in the region was August 26, 2025. Clearville Beach was closed until September 8 because of a massive fish die-off.
Results of beach water testing is always posted publicly on CKPHU's website. They're posted several days after testing, when results come back from the Public Health Ontario Laboratory.
