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Visit local public health websites, social media channels in summer 2021 for info on safe swimming, recreational water quality
The August civic holiday weekend is almost here and many local residents and visitors to Lake Huron will consider swimming in the lake as individuals and families. As you make decisions about where and when to swim, don’t forget to visit local public heath websites and social media channels to learn about safe swimming practices and, where available, water quality information for Lake Huron beaches.
Recreational water use is popular along Lake Huron’s southeast shore. These activities can benefit your health and well-being if done safely. Yet, there is the possibility of injury or illness from recreational use if the water is polluted or unsafe. Organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause infection and human illness. These organisms can be present in natural bodies of water.
In some areas along Lake Huron’s southeast shore beaches may be closed or posted at times but, whatever the signs say or don’t say, it is important to know about when the lake may become contaminated and best practices to help reduce risk to you and your family.
The quality of Lake Huron water can change dramatically day to day, hour to hour, or even minute to minute with either heavy rainfall, high wave action, or both. The water may have high levels of bacteria that could increase the risk of skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.
In some cases, local beaches may be closed or posted if local public health believes there may be a risk to the public when the levels of E. coli (Escherichia coli) exceed (or are predicted to exceed) the federal guidelines and provincial standard (200 E. coli per 100 mL of beach water) for recreation. Other factors, such as environmental conditions, may also cause beaches to be posted.
In some cases, predictive beach models are used and reviewed to reduce the time required to use beach water sampling; to provide real-time or same-day water quality information; and to reduce the impact of extended beach postings.
Some local public health agencies conduct monitoring and testing on a number of public beaches but swimming and recreational conditions can change quickly. It’s important to know about recent weather events, and the impact weather can have on recreational water quality, and to follow best practices. It is not possible for public health to monitor all beaches and they can’t do it all the time or monitor for all pollutants.
When beaches are monitored they may be monitored for E. coli levels only. There may be other harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or pathogens in the water. Also, local public health does not test other bodies of water such as creeks and streams, rivers, ravines, gullies, and dams. Residents should be aware these areas could be unsafe for swimming.
The number of E. coli can be influenced by rainfall, turbidity (water clarity), air and water temperature, as well as the features of the coastline.
Sources of E. coli may include, among other things, animals and waterfowl, malfunctioning sewage disposal systems, and stormwater runoff carrying chemicals and excess nutrients into creeks, rivers, and the lake.
Positive actions are required to manage water running off of land (‘slow it down, spread it out, soak it in ...’), if we want a Lake Huron that is fishable, drinkable (after the raw water source is treated), and swimmable.
Read and heed any beach water quality signs but don’t rely on signs and postings alone. High bacteria levels often occur due to weather-related events. Beachgoers should make informed decisions about beach water quality in real time before they decide to go swimming or not. When you have all the facts, you may be the best judge of whether the water is safe to swim.
For example, here are some ‘rules of thumb’ from one local public health organization:
- If the beach is posted with a warning sign, don’t swim.
- If there has been a heavy rainfall in the previous 24 to 48 hours, don’t swim. (Bacteria levels may be higher).
- If you can’t see your feet at adult-waist depth, cloudy water can mean that bacterial levels may be higher and, in that case, don’t swim.
- If there is a large number of water fowl, dead fish, algae, scum, or dangerous debris … don’t swim.
- Also – do not ever swallow lake water no matter how clean it looks.
The number of summer days is getting smaller but it’s never too early to follow your local public health channels (websites and social media) for information on beaches and water quality – and other local public health issues.
Here are some ways to find out more:
Online Info Sources along Lake Huron’s Southeast Shore:
Local public health is an important partner in the Healthy Lake Huron – Clean Water, Clean Beaches initiative.
Here are some of the local public health websites with information on water quality at local beaches and/or safe swimming practices:
Social Media Channels along Lake Huron’s Southeast Shore
On Twitter:
To follow Huron Perth; Lambton; or Grey-Bruce local public health Twitter feeds you may visit here:
On Facebook:
You may also ‘like’ and ‘follow’ the Huron Perth Public Health; Lambton Public Health; or Grey Bruce Public Health Facebook pages here:
Other Information Sources:
For more beach safety tips go to The Canadian Red Cross:
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New video offers ways to protect drinking water sources
A new video has been released showing how we can protect groundwater underneath our feet (in aquifers) as well as surface water sources of water such as Lake Huron.
This video, Protecting Groundwater in Our Aquifers, is produced by the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC). This region is working to protect sources of municipal drinking water including Lake Huron intakes (a source of raw water for treatment) and municipal groundwater wells. Also, groundwater and the water in Lake Huron can interact.
This new video shows things you can do to protect well water and lake water including properly maintaining your septic system and using the 4R approach to nutrient management (Right source; right rate; right time; right place).
The video is hosted by source protection committee environment representative Jennette Walker. She uses a groundwater model and colourful dyes to illustrate how aquifers work to provide us with drinking water. She also describes some of the common activities in our area that can cause contamination, to groundwater and/or lake sources if not properly managed. These activities can include leaking underground fuel tanks, improperly applied manure and fertilizer, septic systems that aren’t regularly inspected or pumped out or maintained, and abandoned wells or wells that aren’t properly sealed.
Watch the video now to learn more:
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Huron County Clean Water Project now accepting applications
The Huron County Clean Water Project is a fund that supports water quality projects in Huron County.
In 2021, the County of Huron allocated $450,000 in funds for water quality projects by Huron County residents, landowners, and community groups.
The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) deliver the program on behalf of the county.
“The total value of past Huron Clean Water projects is an astounding $13.1 million,” said Warden Glen McNeil. “These investments made by the County, community partners and community members demonstrate Huron’s commitment to being good stewards of our land and waterways now and in the future. Well done, to all involved in this important project.”
The County of Huron is an important partner in the Healthy Lake Huron – Clean Water, Clean Beaches initiative.
Learn more:
Investing and participating in on-the-ground water quality improvement projects contributes to a healthy environment and provides lasting benefits for the residents of Huron County and generations to follow, according to the county.
Limited funding assistance, covering up to 50 per cent of the costs of eligible projects, is awarded to county farmers and other rural landowners, businesses and community organizations. County of Huron funding can be combined with other sources such as the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan cost-share program, Canada Nature Fund, and Forests Ontario tree planting incentive programs.
The Huron Clean Water Project is in its seventeenth year of providing financial and technical support to improve and protect water quality on Huron County farms and rural properties.
Since 2005, Huron County residents have completed more than 3,100 stewardship projects with funding from the Huron Clean Water Project, including:
- 864 tree planting projects
- 591 wells decommissioned
- 404 wells upgraded
- 24,000 acres of cover crops planted
- 216 kilometres of windbreaks
- 273 erosion control projects
- 99 unused liquid manure storages decommissioned
Learn more about the Huron Clean Water Project here:
To apply for funding, or to learn more, call Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at 519-335-3557, extension 236 or Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610, extension 227.
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Don't forget to visit the Healthy Lake Huron website!
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