Public advised to avoid swimming in Kinap Beach due to high bacteria levels

The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is advising residents that Kinap Beach in Porters Lake, N.S., is closed to swimming until further notice due to high bacteria levels in the water.

“Recent test results indicate bacteria levels at this beach exceed Health Canada swimming guidelines,” HRM said in a statement released on Wednesday.

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According to HRM, the high bacteria levels can be caused by a number of factors, including dogs, birds, wildlife and high temperatures.

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“Staff will continue testing the water until bacteria levels return to safe levels. The municipality will advise residents when the beach reopens,” said HRM.

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According to the municipality, staff regularly test the water quality at all supervised municipal beaches, including Kinap Beach, during the summer months.

Staff will also be testing one unsupervised beach, said HRM in the release.