HALIFAX – Four beaches and swimming areas in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) remain closed due to high levels of bacteria.
The municipality reopened two beaches for swimming on Friday — Dingle and Black Rock — after tests showed bacteria levels did not exceed Health Canada guidelines.
See the full list of closures below
Cameron Deacoff, with the HRM’s Energy and Environment office, said officials specifically test for E. coli levels, but there are other bacteria in the water including salmonella and Shigella.
Swimmers who are exposed to E-coli can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, he said.
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Conditions related to other bacteria found in the water include ear infections and skin rashes.
Urinary tract infections, and respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia are less common but still a possibility, Deacoff added.
The heightened bacteria levels are caused by the sewage overflows from heavy rain water in the past weeks.
The municipality will advise residents when the remaining beaches and lakes will be reopened to swimmers.
In the meantime, HRM has a list, on its website, of outdoor pool citizens can use to cool off in during the hot weather.
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Environment Canada issued a special statement on Friday, advising Nova Scotians humidex levels would remain high.
Read More: Halifax police warn about leaving kids, pets in cars on hot days
The temperature in Halifax is expected to hit a high of 31 C, but it could feel as hot as 37 C with the humidity. Other areas of Nova Scotia could be hit with a humidex level that tops 40 C, particularly inland areas of the mainland.
The full list of beaches and lakes closed includes:
Albro Lake in Dartmouth
Sandy Lake in Bedford
Long Pond in Herring Cove
Kinsmen Beach on First Lake, in Sackville
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