Anyone whose weekend plans include a dip in the waters of Port Stanley's Little Beach will want to make other arrangements.
Routine weekly water quality testing conducted by Southwestern Public Health has found the beach is unsafe for swimming because of high levels of E.coli. bacteria. Signs warning people swimming is not recommended at the location at 181 Main St. have been posted and will remain in place until future testing shows bacteria levels have subsided.
E.coli bacteria is an indicator there is human and/or animal fecal contamination present, the health unit said. If ingested, the bacteria-filled water could cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. These bacteria may also cause infections of the eye, ear, nose, and/or throat when people swim in the water.
Unsettled weather earlier this week may be behind the elevated bacteria levels. According to the health unit, weather conditions can adversely affect water quality. If the water is cloudy from rough waves or heavy rains, high levels of bacteria can be present for up to two days. The public should keep that in mind when deciding whether to go swimming at any beach, the health unit said.
Port Stanley's other two beaches - Main and Erie Rest - did not show harmful levels of bacteria and thus remain safe for swimming.
The health unit's environmental health team began weekly testing of area public beaches for the season this week.
