Four Toronto beaches deemed unsafe for swimming due to high E.coli levels
Posted July 19, 2022 4:31 pm.
Last Updated July 20, 2022 1:57 pm.
In the midst of sweltering temperatures, swimming is a great way to cool down. Toronto has made that a bit easier by extending hours at select pools.
A refreshing dip, however, won’t be a safe option at several city beaches.
Toronto Public Health has deemed four beaches unsafe for swimming due to high E.coli levels following recent heavy rains.
According to TPH, the following beaches have E.coli levels that exceed the city’s established beach water quality standard of 100 E.coli per 100 millilitres of water, making them unsafe for swimming:
Marie Curtis Park East Beach (The Foot of 42nd St., South of Lakeshore Blvd. W.)
Centre Island Beach (Outer, South Side of the Toronto Island)
Kew Balmy Beach (South of Queen St. E., Central & East Beach area)
Bluffer’s Beach Park (The Foot of Brimley Rd., Scarborough Bluffs area)
Sunnyside Beach, located at the foot of Parkside Drive south of Lakeshore Blvd., was listed as unsafe to swim on Tuesday but is now deemed accessible by TPH.
As of Wednesday’s inspection, officials say Marie Curtis Park East Beach currently has the highest E.coli level (920).
On its website, TPH notes that swimming in waters with high E.coli levels “exposes the bather to increased risk of infections, including ear, eye, nose, throat and skin infections.
If beach water is ingested, it may cause upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea.”
Young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk for serious illness from infected waters.
