Despite a major blue-green algae bloom growing in western Lake Erie, public health officials say all local beaches are open to swimmers this weekend.
Officials in the United States say a lot of heavy rain over the course of June has washed a significant amount of algae causing phosphorous into the water.
Beaches in Elgin County are patrolled for signs of the blue-green algea and e-coli levels are tested on a weekly basis.
"Right now, it (the algae bloom) is staying to the west of us and there's no prediction that it's going to come to Elgin beaches, but it's something that we monitor and will address if it becomes a concern," says Manager of Health and Protection Programs at Elgin St. Thomas Public Health Andrew Powell. "In 2011 it just reached our borders to the west of our area, now what they're predicting is that it won't be as bad as 2011."
While the water is safe for swimming, Powell says test results usually take about 24 hours and it is key to use common sense when heading to the beach.
"There are factors that influence beach water quality, like large storms, rain, runoff, and warm water temperatures can all lead to higher levels of e-coli," notes Powell.
For the weekly beach reports click here.
