FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, May 30, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. | Windsor-Essex County
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has launched the 2025 beach water quality testing program at 8 local beaches. On Wednesday May 28, 2025, beach water samples were taken by Public Health Inspectors from Sandpoint Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee Northwest Beach, Seacliff Park Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Cedar Beach, Colchester Beach, and Holiday Beach, and the lab results are available below.
Water samples are sent to the public health lab in London, Ontario for E. coli bacteria count analysis. This season’s first sampling results are now posted on wechu.org, and available by calling the beach hotline at 519-258-2146, extension 1490. Follow the Health Unit Facebook and Twitter pages for notification of beach warnings and closures.
Public beaches must post a warning or a closure sign if the beach results show higher than acceptable levels of E. coli bacteria. The public should also avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall as pollution in beach water is often much higher during and right after rainstorms.
Beach Water Testing Results
Sampling Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
All Beaches are open
Predictive Modeling
In addition, the WECHU has also launched a new predictive modeling program at five participating beaches. “The predictive model provides community access to timely estimations of what the water quality results may be and will be used to supplement our weekly beach monitoring. This enhanced beach monitoring program can help residents make an informed decision on whether to use participating public beaches for swimming” says Jenny Tan, Environmental Health Manager, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
The participating beaches are Sandpoint Beach, Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach, Point Pelee Northwest Beach, Colchester Beach and Holiday Beach. The results are posted on wechu.org, and available by calling the beach hotline at 519-258-2146, extension 1490.
Beach Water Safety Tips
Swimming or playing in unsafe water may result in minor skin, eye, ear, nose, or throat infections, or symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Those most at risk are children, elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Here are some tips to stay safe at the beach:
- Check for the most recent beach results before going into the water.
- Read and obey the signs posted at the beach.
- Don’t go swimming if you can’t see your feet underwater when you’re standing in waist deep water.
- Don’t go swimming if the water is rough, cloudy, or green.
- Don’t swim for at least 48 hours after a heavy rainfall or wind.
- If you think you may have become ill from beach water, consult your health care provider.
Until the end of August, or weather permitting, the Health Unit will be collecting beach water samples from the local area beaches every Wednesday and sharing the test results with the community every Friday. The predictive modeling results will be posted on weekdays (except holidays). For more beach safety information, please visit the Health Unit’s Beach Water Testing webpage.