Beach Water Testing in Niagara

Summer beach testing

Beach water testing has ended for the 2024 season

Beach water testing

Every year between May (Victoria Day) and September (Labour Day), we test over 25 public beaches for levels of E. Coli bacteria. When unsafe levels are present the beaches may be posted as unsafe or closed. Bacteria levels can rise due to:

Large number of swimmers
Wind and high waves
Large number of birds
Recent heavy rainfall
Cloudy water

Beaches might also be unsafe due to floating debris, oil, excessive weed growth, bad odours and general turbidity.

Swimming in these waters could cause infections of the ear, eye, nose, throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if that water is injested.

Beaches inspected (May to August)

Beach
Bay Beach (Crystal) Fort Erie
Bernard Avenue Beach Fort Erie
Crescent Beach Fort Erie
Waverly Beach Fort Erie
Casablanca Beach Grimsby
Fifty Point Conservation Beach Grimsby
Nelles Beach Grimsby
Charles Daley Park Lincoln
Queen's Royal Beach Niagara-on-the-Lake
Centennial Cedar Bay Beach Port Colborne
Nickel Beach Port Colborne
Sherkston Elco Port Colborne
Sherkston Quarry Beach Port Colborne
Sherkston Wyldewood Beach Port Colborne
Lakeside Beach St. Catharines
Sunset Beach St. Catharines
Long Beach Wainfleet
Reebs Bay Wainfleet
Wainfleet Lake Erie Public Access Beach Wainfleet