PREPARED BY:
Environmental Health
DATE:
2024-05-16
SUBJECT:
Recreational Water Inspections
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
The Environmental Health Department conducts inspections of recreational water facilities in Windsor and Essex County (WEC), as a part of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s Safe Water Program. This mandatory program contributes to the prevention and reduction of water-borne illnesses and operates under the requirements outlined in the Recreational Water Protocol, 2019 and the Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018. Recreational water facilities that are routinely inspected within this program include public pools, splash pads, water slides, and spas. Seasonal beach monitoring is also conducted, which includes surveillance of water and weather conditions, and potential pollutants, as well as weekly water sampling to test for Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria that can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
| Type of Facility | Total in WEC (2024) |
|---|---|
| Spa | 17 |
| Spray/ Splash Pad | 29 |
| Class A Pool Class B Pool Class C Pool | 25 76 35 |
| Water Slide | 1 |
| Wave Action Pool | 2 |
| Public Beach | 8 |
Recreational Water Facilities Summary
| Type of Inspection | # of Inspections Completed in 2023 | # of Inspections Completed in 2024 (As of April 04, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Operational Inspections | 46 | 0 |
| Required | 413 | 80 |
| Re-Inspections | 69 | 8 |
Beach Monitoring Summary
The 2023 beach monitoring season ran for a total of 13 weeks, with weekly water sampling conducted from June 12, 2023, to September 5, 2023. There were 20 water quality warnings issued (201-999 E. coli/100ml), and 3 beach closures (≥1000 E. coli/100ml). This season had significantly less water quality issues when compared with 2022, which had 41 warnings and 13 closures. The permanent closure of Mettawas Beach partially accounts for this difference.
| Name of Beach | Warnings | Closures |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Beach | 1 | 0 |
| Cedar Island Beach | 1 | 0 |
| Colchester Beach | 2 | 0 |
| Holiday Beach | 3 | 0 |
| Lakeshore Lakeview Park W. Beach | 3 | 1 |
| Point Pelee North West Beach | 2 | 0 |
| Sandpoint Beach | 6 | 2 |
| Seacliff Beach | 2 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 20 | 3 |
DISCUSSION
Recreational Water Facility Activities
In 2024, all the recreational water inspections will be conducted as per the requirements outlined in the Recreational Water Protocol, 2019. Indoor pools and spas are inspected at least four times per year, and outside pools and spas will be inspected at least two times within the operating season. Splash pads and waterslides will be inspected a minimum once per year. All routine and complaint-based inspection reports of recreational water facilities are made available on the WECHU’s Disclosure Website. Reports are posted within two weeks of a completed inspection and remain posted for two years.
Beach Assessments and Testing
Public Health Inspectors will conduct pre-season beach assessments mid-May, with weekly surveillance and water sampling beginning May 21, 2024. Beach water sampling will take place once a week every Wednesday and there will be no resampling done. The results will be made available on the WECHU’s Beach Water Testing webpage by Friday of the same week. Results will also posted to the Beach Hotline at 519-258-2146 ext. 1490.