Bullet News HURON COUNTY – Seven beaches along the Lake Huron shoreline exceeded the provincial standard for E. coli bacteria in testing released today, at the start of a holiday weekend.
Ashfield, Port Albert, Goderich Main, Goderich St. Christopher, Goderich Rotary Cove, Houston Heights and Hay Township beach all exceed the provincial standard in water samples taken Thursday by the Huron County’s health unit taken, according to its beach water quality information line. But beaches remain open.
Since the conditions can change in a short timeframe, depending on such things as rainfall, air temperature and wind, the health unit has posted permanent signs to help swimmers make informed decisions.
“We don’t close beaches. We’re just advising swimmers to take a look at our notice boards and take precautions,” said Christina Taylor, who is a public health manager at the Huron County Health Unit.
In particular, swimmers should be aware that the risk of infection is higher when the water is cloudy or if it’s rained in the past 24 to 48 hours.
E. coli bacteria are present in the sand where the water washes ashore. Parents of children who play at the water’s edge are advised to ensure small hands are washed before snacks or meals.
