Eight Durham Region Beaches Posted as Unsafe for Swimming
The Durham Region Health Department has released its weekly beach report for the week of August 19, 2024. Eight public beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming due to elevated levels of E. coli, which exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.
The affected beaches are:
- Paradise Beach in Ajax
- Beaverton North Beach in Brock
- Beaverton South Beach in Brock
- Thorah Centennial Park in Brock
- Newcastle Beach Central in Newcastle
- Frenchman's Bay East in Pickering
- Frenchman's Bay West in Pickering
- Kinsmen Beach in Scugog
The Health Department advises against swimming in beach water for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall due to increased bacteria levels from run-off.
Test results for Durham Region’s inspected public beaches are available in real-time on the Health Department’s online disclosure portal, Check&Go! Durham. The water samples are tested by the Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Peterborough, and results are shared with the media by Friday each week to assist with public notification of beach postings.
For more information about the Health Department’s Beach Monitoring program, visit durham.ca/beaches.