Wednesday was a great day to fly a kite but not the best to go swimming, however that wouldn’t have mattered much if you were planning to swim at Murray Beach.
The beach has been closed to swimmers since Monday because of a single-sample result for E. coli at the beach. Parlee Beach was also closed on Monday due to the bacteria.
Under federal guidelines for recreational water quality, a single sample should not exceed 70 enterococci per 100 ml.
While the Parlee Beach sample was slightly elevated at 74, the Murray Beach sample was 253, more than three times the recommended maximum.
READ MORE: New Brunswickers waiting for comprehensive strategy on beach water quality
Parlee has since reopened to swimming, but Murray remains closed.
Though signs are posted on the grounds, indicating if the water is suitable for swimming, beachgoers say they’re disappointed they were not advised by staff of the water conditions when they entered the park.
“All he said was it’s $10 to go park by the beach and free on top, but he didn’t say if the water was suitable for swimming,” said Dany Roussel, who was visiting from Boisbriand. “I think he should’ve said something. I guess we just wont swim.”
But for some, a sign may not be enough to stop them from doing their favorite summertime activity.
READ MORE: E. coli levels were ‘well over the threshold’ at Mactaquac beach: N.B. health officials
“I’m not really afraid I can tell you that. I mean I could go swimming right now and I wouldn’t be afraid to do it, but once you know it’s like that, you have to take it into consideration,” added Robert Cyr, who was visiting the park from Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
Water samples are collected three times a week, with results of the latest tests expected Thursday.
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