Lambton Public Health's beach water quality monitoring program is underway for another summer.
The health unit started water sampling and analysis at area beaches Monday, to determine if beaches are safe to access.
A beach's status will be indicated on site in one of two ways.
Warning signs will be displayed if the water is unsafe for swimming because of high levels of bacteria that may pose a risk to your health.
If no water quality issues are reported, a caution sign will still be displayed. Cloudy water caused by high wave activity and heavy rainfall may contain high levels of bacteria.
"We’re lucky to have some amazing beaches in Lambton County and this monitoring program helps residents enjoy them knowing they are getting an accurate representation of water quality in a timely manner," said Lori Lucas, Health Protection Supervisor with Lambton Public Health.
Lambton Public Health regularly tests waters at Grand Bend [North and South beaches], Bright's Grove [including Mike Weir Park], Canatara, C. J. McEwan, Pinery Provincial Park and Ipperwash Main Beach.
While no sampling occurs along the St. Clair River, caution signs advising high bacterial levels following heavy rainfall are permanently posted at Branton Cundick Park, Brander Park and Seager Park.
Lambton County beachgoers can access water quality status reports by texting the word Beach to 226-909-3003, you can also call the Beach Info Line at 519-383-3816 or toll-free 1-800-667-1839 ext. 3816, or visit LambtonPublicHealth.ca