FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
Friday, May 27, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. | Windsor-Essex County

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has launched the 2026 beach water quality testing program at seven local beaches. Alongside weekly water sampling, WECHU’s predictive modeling program is also now active, providing timely beach water quality estimates between test results. On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Public Health Inspectors collected beach water samples from 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. As an added precaution the public should avoid swimming after a heavy rainfall since the bacteria levels in beach water are often much higher during and right after rainfall.

Beach Water Testing Results

Sampling Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Warning Signs Posted
Swimming is not recommended at the following beaches as E.coli counts are 200 or higher:
Lakeshore Lakeview Park West Beach

Predictive Modeling Results
WECHU’s predictive modeling program has also launched for the season. While weekly beach water testing provides lab-confirmed results, predictive modeling offers timely weekday estimates to help residents make informed decisions between sampling dates. This year, Pelee Island’s East Park Beach is also participating in the predictive modeling program, expanding access to beach water quality information for residents and visitors.

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, weather permitting, the WECHU will collect beach water samples from local beaches every Wednesday and share lab-confirmed results every Friday. Predictive modeling results will be posted on weekdays, except holidays, to complement routine testing with more timely beach condition estimates. For more beach safety information, please visit the WECHU’s Beach Water Testing webpage.