BEACH REPORT: Most York Region beaches recently tested safe for swimming, but 3 didn't (June 20)

York Region Public Health monitors water at 14 public beaches

Yorkregion.com
June 22, 2022

Heading to the beach? You’ll want to stay out of the water at Bonnie Park, Claredon Beach Park and Peninsula Resort as of June 20 at 5 p.m. Here’s the latest beach water quality report from York Region Public Health:

Bonnie Park Beach in Jackson’s Point (37 Malone Road) tested unsafe for swimming on June 16

Cedar Beach in Whitchurch-Stouffville (150 Cedarvale Boulevard) tested safe for swimming on June 15

Claredon Beach Park Beach in Keswick (Windy Shore Drive) tested unsafe for swimming on June 16

Corner Park Beach in Pefferlaw (100 Clovelly Cove) tested safe for swimming on June 15

De La Salle Park Beach in Jackson's Point (1924 Metro Road North) tested safe for swimming on June 16

Franklin Beach Conservation Area Beach in Jackson's Point (753 Lake Drive East) tested safe for swimming on June 16

Holmes Point Park Beach in Pefferlaw (131 Holmes Point Road) tested safe for swimming on June 15

Joy Marritt Parkette Beach in Keswick (275 Church Street) tested safe for swimming on June 15

North Gwillimbury Park Beach in Keswick (846 Lake Drive North) tested safe for swimming on June 8

Peninsula Resort Beach in Pefferlaw (202 Holmes Point Road) tested unsafe for swimming on June 16

Riverview Park Beach in Pefferlaw (98 Irving Drive) tested safe for swimming on June 15

Sheppard Park and Wharf Beach in Keswick (971 Lake Drive North) tested safe for swimming on June 15

Willow Beach Conservation Area Beach in Keswick (1506 Metro Road) tested safe for swimming on June 15

Willow Wharf Park Beach in Keswick (Lake Drive East) tested safe for swimming on June 15

Find the latest reports for beaches outside York Region
During the summer, York Region Public Health monitors E. coli levels at 14 public beaches. Water is considered unsafe for swimming when one sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or the geometric mean of five samples is 200 or more, according to public health guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Collecting, transporting and testing beach water for E. coli can take a day or more, so the latest available data may not reflect current conditions at the beach. Swimming is not recommended when it’s raining, the water is wavy or cloudy, there are lots of birds, or for two days after a big storm.

Consuming E. coli can cause serious illness, including stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. When high levels of the bacteria are detected it’s more likely that other harmful organisms are present as well, including those that cause skin rashes and eye, ear, nose and throat infections.

A beach may also be considered unsafe for swimming due to weather conditions, runoff, pollution, spills, smells, garbage, sharp debris and dead fish. In addition, public beaches are monitored for blue-green algae, which can be highly toxic to humans, dogs and other animals.