WATCH ABOVE: When temperatures are high, many residents like to cool down at the beach. However, there have been more beach closures this year compared to last year. Julia Wong finds out why.
HALIFAX – More beaches in the Halifax area have been closed this year compared to last year, and municipal staff said it is unclear why that is the case.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were four beaches in Halifax, Dartmouth and Musquodoboit Harbour that were closed due to high bacteria level.
That brings the number of beach closures so far this year to 20, according to city staff. Last year, there were only 10. There were 18 closures in 2013 and 14 closures in 2012.
Jen Nagle, HRM aquatics and leisure specialist, said tests for E. Coli and enterococci are done weekly at all beach locations and, depending on the numbers and guidelines set by the province, beaches can be closed if bacteria levels are too high.
“Every summer we have some beach closures. Some years are different than others,” she said.
“Sometimes the rain will stir up stuff and that will make more closures happen. Sometimes the heat will allow bacteria to grow and that will make more closures.”
Bill Rideout, environmental health consultant for the Department of Environment, said the high number of closures could be due to a multitude of reasons.
“It could be due to weather, oftentimes following heavy rain or periods of high winds or during episodes of heavy wave action. Those types of events can often lead to the deterioration in water quality,” he said.
Residents are advised not to swim if beaches are closed. Rideout said there are risks to your health if water is swallowed, and even some if it isn’t.
Swimmers who experience those symptoms are advised to seek medical attention if their condition persists for a few days or if they worsen.
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