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Ottawans who tried to cool off from yesterday’s heat with a nice swim at a beach—any beach—were out of luck.
Heavy rains on Friday meant Ottawa’s four city-run beaches were closed to swimmers because of high bacteria levels.
Ottawa Public Health samples the water at Britannia Beach, Mooney’s Bay, Westboro Beach and Petrie Island Beach on a daily basis. A no-swimming advisory is issued if bacteria levels are over 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water tested. Samples taken Friday showed 224 E. coli per 100 ml at Britannia, 353 E. coli per 100 ml at Mooney’s Bay, 289 E. coli per 100 ml at Westboro Beach, and the city’s website simply said “No swimming” for Petrie Island.
Nonetheless, frustrated beachgoers at Mooney’s Bay found other ways to amuse themselves—tossing around footballs, playing fetch with their dogs, and sunning themselves.
Selena Seguin took the bus from her east end apartment to take a dip in Mooney’s Bay.
She was disappointed to see the no-swimming signs and hear the voice on the loudspeaker warning her to stay out of the water.
“At least they tell us—I wouldn’t want to get sick,” she said.
Cathy Dombroski, who was visiting from Thunder Bay, had promised her three children they could go swimming yesterday.
“We should have checked online,” she said.
“This is why I stopped going to beaches around here, you can’t make a plan because you have to change it at the last minute.”
For the latest updates about beach closures and water tests, residents can call 613-580-6744, ext. 13219, or visit www.city.ottawa.on.ca/residents/health/inspections/beaches/updates_en.html.
By 3:30 p.m., Michael McMullen was on his way back to the bus stop to travel back to his air-conditioned apartment. His buddy, Gerry Lambert, was going to brave the bacteria but then decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
“We’ve got a camping trip this weekend and I don’t want to be sick for that.”
Dombroski, meanwhile, was getting her kids in the car and loading up her trunk. The family was headed for a safer bet.
“We’re going to go try to find an indoor pool.”
(C) Ottawa Sun