The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has ordered two local beaches to close after high bacteria levels were found.
After this week's round of beach testing, the health unit closed Sandpoint Beach in Windsor, along with Lakeview Park Beach in Lakeshore. Testing uncovered E. coli levels of 1,000 or higher at both locations.
Swimming is not allowed on either beach until bacteria levels decrease.
Four other Windsor-Essex beaches are under a "code yellow", which means swimming is not recommended due to elevated levels of E. coli. Those beaches are Colchester Beach in Essex, Holiday Beach in Amherstburg, Point Pelee North West Beach, and Seacliff Beach, both in Leamington. Bacteria levels at those beaches were at least 200.
The other two public beaches in Windsor-Essex, Cedar Island and Cedar, in Kingsville, tested at normal levels and are fully open.
The health unit tests all eight beaches on Monday during the summer months. High bacteria levels in water may result in stomach-related or intestinal illness.
Complete information about beach water testing can be found on the health unit's official website.
