Call it the no-swim summer.
The number of no-swim advisories at Ottawa’s public beaches has more than doubled in the past two years—and the season isn’t over yet.
Ottawa Public Health has issued 65 no-swim advisories since beach season began in mid-June. The city has five public beaches: Britannia, Westboro, Mooney's Bay, Petrie Island East Bay and Petrie Island River beaches.
The agency issued no-swimming advisories if bacteria levels are over 200 E.coli per 100 milliletres of water, or if bacteria levels exceed 100 E.coli for two or more consecutive days.
When elevated levels of E.coli are in the water, it's probable that other organisms, which can harm you, are also present.
People are still free to swim at their own risk.
The flooding, heavy rains and high water levels of this summer have a lot to do with the number of advisories.
Public Health also sometimes issues 24-hour no swim advisories at the beaches after significant rainfall.
The last day for lifeguards at public beaches is Aug. 27.