Using Toronto's Beach Water Quality Reports

Sitting right on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto is a city with some great waterfront attractions. But what about the lake itself?

Swimming in the lake can be a nice way to spend a hot summer day, but pollution means taking a dip isn't always such a great idea health-wise. While you should always avoid swallowing the water as much as possible, Toronto's Department of Public Health also tests the water quality at Toronto's eleven supervised beaches during June, July and August. The beaches tested are:

• Marie Curtis Park East Beach
• Sunnyside Beach
• Hanlan's Point Beach
• Gibraltar Point Beach
• Centre Island Beach
• Ward's Island Beach
• Cherry Beach
• Woodbine Beaches
• Kew - Balmy Beach
• Bluffer's Park Beach
• Rouge Beach

They are testing the E. coli levels of the water, to make sure swimmers won't be exposed to too much of this bacteria. When levels are too high, a beach will be deemed unsafe for swimming but remain open for other purposes.

How to Find the Latest Beach Water Quality Update

The status of the beach water is updated daily. There are four ways to find out the current water status at any particular beach.

By Phone:
Call the Beach Water Quality Hotline at 416-392-7161. A recorded message will first list the beaches that are open for swimming, and then those at which swimming is not recommended.

Online:
Visit www.toronto.ca/beach/ for the up-to-date status. You can see a small map of all the beaches, or visit the detailed page for the beach you're interested in.

Through Your Smart Phone:
If you're an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad user, you can download the Toronto Beaches Water Quality app provided by the City of Toronto. Both Apple users and those on an Android phone can get a free app called Swim Guide, created by the non-profit, charitable organization Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. Swim Guide offers information not just on Toronto beaches, but on many other beaches in the GTA.

On Site:
While at one of Toronto's eleven beaches, you should always look for the water quality sign before entering the water. When E. coli levels are unsafe, the sign will read "Warning - Unsafe for Swimming".

What to Do When the Water's Unsafe

Remember, just because the water at a beach may be unsafe for swimming doesn't mean the beach itself is closed. You can still pack the sunscreen and head out for a day of lounging or sports in the sand. Or grab your bathing suit anyway and check out one of Toronto's many indoor and outdoor public pools!

References: Toronto Public Health