Kelso Beach Declared Unsafe for Swimming Due to High Bacteria Levels
Grey Bruce Public Health has posted Kelso Beach at Nawash Park in Owen Sound as unsafe for swimming due to elevated bacterial levels.
Kelso Beach at Nawash Park has been posted as unsafe for swimming by Grey Bruce Public Health (GBPH) following routine water testing that revealed elevated levels of bacteria exceeding provincial safety standards.
The advisory was issued on Wednesday, August 6, after GBPH received the results from water samples collected the previous day. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, water is considered unsafe for recreational use when E. coli levels surpass the established threshold.
In consultation with the City of Owen Sound, GBPH has placed signage at Kelso Beach alerting the public to avoid swimming or engaging in water-related activities at the site. The advisory will remain in place until subsequent testing confirms bacterial levels have returned to safe limits.
“While we understand that this posting will be an inconvenience to some, we respectfully ask that residents and visitors respect this swim advisory,” said Andrew Barton, Senior Public Health Manager at GBPH. “People are at an increased risk of getting sick or an infection when bacterial levels in beach water exceed Ontario guidelines.”
The health unit is advising residents and visitors not to swim, wade, or allow pets to drink or play in the water at Kelso Beach until further notice. Exposure to water with high bacterial counts can lead to a range of health issues, including skin rashes, ear and eye infections, and gastrointestinal illness.
GBPH conducts regular water quality monitoring at high-use public beaches across Grey-Bruce during the summer months. Other local beaches are not currently affected by this advisory.
Updates will be provided as new water sample results become available. Residents can monitor beach postings through the Grey Bruce Public Health website.