YOUR ENVIRONMENTBeaches
Beach Water Quality
Chatham-Kent has many beautiful beaches you can enjoy. But sometimes, the water might not be safe if it has high levels of E. Coli bacteria. This can make people sick. Water quality can change every day or even every hour because of weather and other things.
It is important that you make an informed decision about the beach’s water quality in real time before you go swimming. YOU are the best judge of whether the water is safe.
Should I Go Swimming at the Beach?
How do you know if it’s safe to go swimming at the beach? Ask yourself these four questions before you head out for a swim at the beach:
- Has there been a heavy rainfall in the last 24-48 hours?
- Have conditions been really windy and wavy in the last 24-48 hours?
- Are there any other problems at the beach, like a large number of waterfowl (geese and ducks), dead fish, algae/scum, or dangerous debris?
- Is the water so cloudy that you cannot see your feet at adult waist depth?
If you answered YES to any of the questions above, it is NOT SAFE to swim. The water might have high levels of bacteria that can make you sick. You could get infections in your skin, eyes, ears, nose, or throat. You might also get a stomach illness. Always avoid swallowing beach water no matter how clear it is!
Beach Water Testing
Every summer from June to September, we collect water samples from public beaches in Chatham-Kent. These results are updated once a month. We check for a kind of bacteria called E. Coli. If there’s a lot of E. Coli in the water, it could mean that the water may contain other harmful germs as well.
Remember, these results only reflect that exact moment in time. Beach goers are encouraged to make an informed decision about beach quality in real time before you go swimming.
Beach Safety
Protect Yourself
- Avoid swallowing lake water
- Avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rain
- Avoid swimming with cuts, wounds, or when you feel unwell
- Avoid swimming in murky water
- Practice good sun safety
- Swim safely
- After swimming, wash your hands before eating
- Shower after swimming
When is a Beach Closed?
Beach closures are rare. However, a beach may be closed due to:
- Chemical, oil, sewage, or other waste spills
- Blue-green algae bloom
- Fish or other wildlife die-off
- Safety hazards, such as sharp objects
Beach Signs
Advisory Signs
CK Public Health posts advisory signs at all public beaches in Chatham-Kent. These signs warn people that the water can sometimes have high levels of bacteria. This means you should be careful when swimming, because the water might not be safe.
