By Cecilia Nasmith

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit has advised the Town of Cobourg to notify the public that the beach at Victoria Park – accessible weekdays – is unsafe for swimming due to high E. Coli bacteria readings in the water, and to post closure signs of closure.

According to SGS Canada Inc. (a leading provider of comprehensive water-quality testing that meets all provincial and national regulatory requirements, including the Safe Drinking Water Act), the latest beach and harbour-water quality report on samples taken July 12 showed bacteria levels at 823, exceeding the provincial standard of 200.

HKPR Manager of Health Protection Bernard Mayer said there is always some level of risk in swimming in natural bodies of water that are not treated with bacteria.

“Public swimming is not recommended, as it may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections, or stomach illness.”

Health unit and town staff both sample the water weekly to monitor bacteria levels. Town staff will post notices at the beach and at all entrances, and the town will advice the community once retesting results have been received that report bacteria levels back down to a safe threshold.

If you have recently been swimming at the Victoria Park beach and experience such symptoms as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, please seek medical attention.

For more information, see the Beach Water Quality page at the town's website.