A pair of swimming advisories have been posted on two beaches in Muskoka as beach water testing season begins.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has posted warning signs at Franklin Park in Gravenhurst and Jaspen Beach in Muskoka Lakes.
The testing is done weekly by the SMDHU yearly between June and the Labour Day long weekend in Sept. at the public beaches in Muskoka and Simcoe County. Officials with SMDHU explain the water samples are tested for E. coli bacteria and if the number exceeds 200 E. coli per 100 mL of water, a warning sign will be posted at the beach.
When a swimming advisory is posted, officials say you can still go for a swim, but caution the increased level of bacteria could lead to minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections as well as the potential to develop a stomach illness. They add that if you do go for a swim, don’t dunk your head or swallow the water.
