Beach Water Testing

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Please visit our Beach Safety page for information about planning a safe day at the beach. Please visit our blue-green algae page for instructions on how to stay safe if there is a bloom present.

The bacterial counts given reflect the conditions at the time of sampling. Conditions change from day to day depending on the weather conditions and lake levels. The map below posts the most recent E. coli result for public beaches that are tested in Windsor-Essex County.

Beach Map

Map Icon Legend

Beach is Open

Icon indicating beach is open

Bacterial levels are below provincial standards.

Beach Warning

Icon indicating beach is in Warning state

Unsafe for swimming - High levels of bacteria in these waters may pose a risk to your health.

Beach is Closed

Icon indicating a beach is closed

Unsafe for swimming - High levels of bacteria in these waters may pose a risk to your health.

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2022 Beach Sampling Data

A list of beaches, their status, and the date of the last water quality test.
Name	Sampling Date	E.coli Count	Blue-Green Algae Visually Observed
Belle River Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	132	No
Cedar Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	75	No
Cedar Island Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	28	No
Colchester Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	137	No
Holiday Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	181	No
Mettawas Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	483	No
Point Pelee North West Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	15	No
Sandpoint Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	164	No
Seacliff Beach	Monday, June 20, 2022	61	No

View archived sampling data by beach

Learn more about beach water quality monitoring and beach safety, or blue-green algae.

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How we monitor

The Health Unit conducts beach water quality monitoring at nine public beaches at least once each week from May to September to make sure that the bacterial (E.coli) counts in the water are below provincial standards.

Beach sampling will take place every Monday (or Tuesday after a long weekend). If the beach is closed due to high E. coli levels, the beach will be resampled on Wednesday of the same week. Beach water quality results from Monday’s sampling are posted every Wednesday during the summer. Resampling results will be available by end of day Friday. You can check for results on the map or by calling our Beach Hotline at 519-258-2146 ext. 1490.

Please note: The bacterial counts listed reflect the conditions at the time of sampling. Water quality can change from day to day depending on the weather conditions and lake levels. Although the beach might be open, we recommend not swimming if there was a recent heavy rainfall (at least 48 hours), if the water is cloudy, or if you are unable to see your feet when in the water.

For further information, call us at 519-258-2146 ext. 4475 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to speak with a Public Health Inspector.

Learn more about beach water quality monitoring and beach safety, or blue-green algae.