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The city’s public health department and councillors are concerned some people keep swimming at municipal beaches even after they are warned to stay out of the water.
Since the city’s four beaches officially opened on June 21, they have been closed to public swimming for a combined 24 days. The no-swimming advisories are a result of high levels of E. coli detected by the city’s public health department in beach water.
Jean-Guy Albert, a program manager with the city’s public health department, said when the city issues a no-swimming advisory it’s extremely important for residents to stay out of the water or they risk getting ill.
RISK TO HEALTH
“We take this very seriously whenever we issue an advisory,” said Albert. “We feel there is enough evidence that shows the quality of water can pose a risk to public health.”
Albert said he hopes beach lovers pay attention to the signs and flags the city posts during no-swimming days but the city can’t enforce the policy.
“These things are meant to protect and we want people to listen and observe the advisory and not go into the water,” he said.
Westboro Beach has been closed for much of this season with no-swimming advisoriess issued on 12 days. Kitchissippi Coun. Christine Leadman wants the city to fix the problem of storm water, which dumps all sorts of debris including animal and bird feces directly into the Ottawa River.
She said residents want to enjoy their beaches, especially during hot, humid days.
But because the beach is the only summer respite for many, she said residents will continue to use the waters even when they aren’t supposed to.
(C) Ottawa Sun