Grey Bruce Public Health has posted that Kelso Beach at Nawash Park has been deemed unsafe for swimming.
The organization says that the posting will remain in effect until samples show that the water has returned to acceptable range for swimming due to high bacteria concentrations.
Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton says that while the organization understands that the advisory may be inconvenient to some, it’s important to follow the advisory.
The splash pad at the park is not impacted by this advisory as it is only connected to municipal, treated water. The City of Owen Sound also advises that the water used in the Kelso Beach washrooms and other potable water at the park is safe to use.
Even if a beach is not posted as unsafe for swimming, Grey Bruce Public Health always recommends that people assess the water’s condition in real-time and use their best judgment before swimming or playing in the water.
GBPH recommends avoiding swimming 24 to 48 hours after heavy rainfall, or if you can’t see your feet in waist-deep water.
Water with bacterial levels above provincial standards for bathing can increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.