Beach Water Quality

Beach Water Quality Testing

Beach Safety 101: Ensure the water is safe before swimming! 

• From the beginning of June until the end of August, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit does regular testing of beaches in Northumberland County to ensure the water is safe to swim in.
• High counts of bacteria in the water can cause unsafe swimming conditions.
• Test results are posted using a three-colour system: Green = open (safe for swimming), Yellow = caution (swimming not recommended), Red = closed (do not swim).

For local beach water test results by community, visit: Local Beaches – Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (hkpr.on.ca)

Beach sampling results cannot be guaranteed accurate as conditions can change quickly epending on the weather. You should not swim at the beach during and after storms, floods or heavy rainfall. Cloudy water may indicate high levels of bacteria.

For more information on ways to stay safe at the beach, visit the Canadian Red Cross’s website. 

Current Status of Cobourg's Victoria Park Beach 

Current Status: Low Risk. Swimming allowed.                  
Geomean for E. coli is 15 c.f.u.

Current Status of Cobourg's West Harbour

Current Status: Medium Risk
Geomean for E. coli is 319 c.f.u.

• Harbour at Shore = 319 c.f.u.

• Harbour at 50m = 109 c.f.u.

• Harbour at 100m = 47 c.f.u.

View the Public Health Ontario Bacterialogical Analysis Report.

Beach Water Quality Test Results

High numbers of E. coli in the water at public beaches indicates contamination with feces and the potential presence of other harmful microorganisms in the water. The provincial standard is 200 E. coli bacteria cells per 100 ml of water or 200 colony forming units (cfu) per 100 ml.  

E. coli concentrations at or above the standard could cause an increased risk of infection. Swimming in these waters could cause infections in ears, eyes, nose, throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if the water is ingested.

View the Current Status of Local Beaches

High Risk

High Risk - Red (Closed) Based on latest test results, there are very high counts of bacteria in the water. Do not swim - not open for public use. Level = 1000+ cfu

Medium Risk

Medium Risk - Yellow (Advisory Warning) Based on latest test results, there are high counts of bacteria in the water. Swimming is not recommended, as it may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections or stomach illness. If you choose to swim during this advisory, avoid dunking your head or swallowing the water. Level = 200-999 cfu

Low Risk

Low Risk - Green Based on latest test results, there are low counts of bacteria in the water. Swimming is allowed. Level = 0-199 cfu

Additional Information

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
1-866-888-4577, ext. 5006
www.hkpr.on.ca