Huron County, ON – With the hot days of summer coming, residents and visitors are starting to hit the beach. Beachgoers in Huron County have several ways to get up-to-date information on water quality.
The Huron County Health Unit has a telephone hotline, web page and Twitter account to keep people informed of water conditions. There are also QR Codes on the beach signs at the 14 beaches. You can scan the code with a smart phone and it will take you to a mobile friendly web page with information on water quality.
The health unit samples water at 14 lake shore beaches twice a week from June to the end of August. At least five water samples are collected at each beach and are sent to an Ontario Public Health Laboratory for bacterial analysis. This determines the number of E. coli colonies present in the sample. E. coli in the water indicates the potential presence of disease causing organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. Many factors affect water quality, including recent rainfall, winds, turbidity (water clarity), and wave action. Lab results are then posted on the website, telephone hotline and tweeted out.
To get Huron County beach water quality information:
- Website: www.huronhealthunit.ca
- Hotline: 519.482.5119 extension 2501
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/huronbeachinfo
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TO FIND OUT MORE…
Our media contact is: Sharon Brown, Huron County Health Unit, 519.482.3416 or toll-free 1.877.837.6143 ext. 2224.
Our spokesperson on this topic: Jean-Guy Albert, Public Health Manager