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Hopeful swimmers at Westboro Beach were left high and very dry yesterday after discovering a 24-hour no-swimming advisory posted thanks to unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria in the water.
Authorities have the mandate to issue a no-swimming advisory if bacteria levels are over 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water tested.
According to the City of Ottawa’s website, a level of 355 E. coli was measured at Westboro, while Petrie Island Beach soared to 388 E. coli and was also declared unsafe.
“We wanted to go in, but we’re not going to take chances,” said Ottawa’s Mak Bennett, who along with two friends biked a long distance only to be beach bound.
“We can’t really blame the city, though. I don’t know how much you can hold them accountable if they posted it.”
RELAX IN SAND
Agata Frankowicz took the disappointment in stride, saying the day was still nice enough to relax in the sand and refreshments were doing the job adequately.
“You can still get cool drinks here, but I think we’ll check the website or phone to make sure we can swim next time before we come.”
Adam Newman exited his car only to be faced with the bad news.
With his kids Joseph, 3, and Yamaya, 18 months, in tow, he wasn’t sure whether he would stay long with the youngsters gazing at water they couldn’t enjoy.
“We were planning on wading in the water,” he said. “They’re too young to really swim, but it would’ve been nice to go in.”
Like the others, he vowed not to let the bad news keep him away.
“It was spontaneous today, but we’ll look next time before we come again.”
Lifeguards at the beach said only one man had gone swimming during their shift.
Mooney’s Bay and Britannia beaches were open after being closed Saturday.
(C) Ottawa Sun