The Northwestern Health Unit posted Morley Beach as “unsafe for swimming” on Friday due to high bacterial counts found during routine sampling.
“We sampled today [Monday] and the earliest we’ll know anything will be Wednesday,” said Bill Limerick, environmental health team leader with the health unit.
“We’ll have a good look at the results, and if they look fine, we’ll probably open it,” he added.
Limerick noted Morley Beach is the only one in the region currently closed due to high-levels of bacteria. These levels are often the result of run-off from shorelines, which varies depending on water levels.
“It’s a normal part of summer,” he remarked.
Hannam Park Beach in Rainy River had been closed for about two weeks by the health unit last month while the beach at Sunny Cove Camp was off limits to swimming for several days in June.
Beaches–including the one at Pither’s Point Park here–are tested each week by health unit staff during the summer months.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
