One of seven beaches in Chatham-Kent has tested high for E. Coli bacteria.
Chatham-Kent Public Health (CKPHU) reported Getty's Beach by the Wheatley pier has high levels of E. Coli bacteria, but the rest have tested low for bacteria and are safe for swimming.
CKPHU said the samples taken on Monday showed that Mitchell's Bay Beach, Clearville Beach, Erieau Public Beach, Howard Township Beach, Pier Road Beach, and Bates Beach all have low levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming.
Water with high levels of bacteria could increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.
Local public health officials said water quality can change from day to day or even hour to hour depending on the weather and other conditions. They encourage beach goers to make informed decisions about beach quality in real time before going swimming.
Officials at the public health unit don't recommend swimming after a heavy rainfall or if conditions have been windy and wavy in the last 24-48 hours. Swimming is also not recommended if there is a large number of waterfowl, dead fish, algae/scum, or dangerous debris at the beach, or if the water is so cloudy that swimmers can't see their feet at adult waist depth.
The beach water testing season launched in early June and public health inspectors will be testing water from seven local beaches for E. Coli each month until September.
