HKPR District Health Unit Launches Monitoring Program for 2023 Season
Residents and visitors encouraged to review test results for E. coli before swimming at public beaches.
Port Hope – Wed., June 7, 2023 – As the summer season approaches, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) will be launching its Beach Water Monitoring program, providing regular E. coli test results across the 53 monitored public beaches within County of Haliburton, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County.
The annual HKPR District Health Unit Beach Water Monitoring program begins June 12 and runs until September 4, 2023 (Labour Day) to test waters at designated beaches and inform the public when elevated levels of E. coli bacteria are identified. As part of this program, HKPR District Health Unit public health staff collect water samples from each beach for monitoring. These samples are then sent to a provincial lab and tested for levels of E. coli bacteria.
The Beach Water Monitoring program results will be updated every Friday on the HKPR District Health Unit’s website hkpr.on.ca/BeachCheck and social media platforms @HKPRDHU. In addition, warning signs will be prominently displayed at local beaches to inform beachgoers about water safety.
In 2022, HKPR District Health Unit adopted a three-colour system to report beach results:
“It’s alarming to discover that a significant number of beachgoers fail to check our beach water test results before they enter the water,” said Bernie Mayer, Health Protection Manager for the HKPR District Health Unit. “Our 2022 Resident Survey revealed that 69 per cent of respondents did not check the beach water test results before entering the water. Please, enjoy your summer but also prioritize your health. Stay informed, check our website before swimming and have fun!”
More Public Health Information
The HKPR District Health Unit encourages residents and visitors to review the Beach Water Monitoring results on its website hkpr.on.ca/BeachCheck and social media platforms @HKPRDHU.
media release
