Public Notice: Southampton Beach Posted Unsafe for Swimming

Update: Grey Bruce Public Health has lifted the swim advisory for Southampton after receiving test results from a new series of beach water samples that show bacterial levels have returned to within Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines for safe swimming/bathing.

Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with Saugeen Shores, has posted Southampton Beach as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.

The beach posting will remain in effect until further samples show levels have returned to within the acceptable range for swimming/bathing.

“While we understand that this posting will be an inconvenience to some, we respectfully ask that residents and visitors respect this swim advisory as people are at an increased risk of getting sick or an infection when bacterial levels in beach water exceed Ontario guidelines” says Senior Public Health Manager, Andrew Barton.

GBPH took water samples from the beach on Tuesday August 12 and received the results on Wednesday August 13. Further sample results will be reported on as soon as they are received. GBPH regularly tests the water at high-use beaches in Grey-Bruce for E. coli levels. This posting does not impact other beach locations.

Residents and visitors should refrain from swimming or playing in the beach water at Southampton Beach or letting pets drink or play in the water until the unsafe for swimming advisory is lifted. Water with bacterial levels above provincial standards for bathing can increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.

Visit Grey Bruce Public Health for information on Public Beach monitoring.