Swimmers beware.
Three beaches outside of London have been deemed unsafe for swimming after routine weekly water testing found high levels of E.coli. bacteria. The three beaches are Port Burwell East Beach at 1 Robinson St. in Port Burwell, Port Glasgow beach at 8536 Haven’s Lake Rd. in Rodney, and Port Stanley Erie Rest beach on Edith Cavell Blvd. in Port Stanley.
Southwestern Public Health, which conducts the weekly water testing, has posted signs at the three beaches advising that swimming is not recommended as the water could pose a health risk.
E.coli bacteria is an indicator there is human and/or animal fecal contamination present in the water, the health unit said. If ingested, the bacteria-filled water could cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. These bacteria may also cause infections of the eye, ear, nose, and/or throat when people swim in the water.
Port Stanley's Main and Little beaches, as well as those in Port Bruce, Port Burwell Provincial Park, and Springwater Conservation Area did not show harmful levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming.
Water sampling at public beaches is conducted weekly by the health unit to ensure any bacterial counts in the water do not exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.