Our volunteer Water Stewards, Doug and Pat Jackson, tackled the sampling early in September, and ALS Laboratories in Kitchener handled the analysis. Doug and Pat gathered 25 samples, and you can check the results on the map below.
If you have a consistently high E.coli reading at your property, this may indicate a problem with your or a neighbour's septic field. That's why we do these tests.
'Results' indicate parts per 100mL. Health Canada's guideline for issuing a swimming advisory is over 200 E.coli/100mL. The Ontario guideline used to be more stringent - 100 E.coli/100 mL - but that was changed in 2018 to match the Federal guideline. There is a dispute about the safety of the current level, and the City of Toronto has stuck to the former Provincial guideline and closes beaches at 100 E.coli/100 mL.
Disclaimer: These samples indicate one point in time and do not guarantee safety, since water-fowl can contaminate water at any time.
To check the 2026 E.coli levels at your property, find your location on the map below and refer to the chart provided. The chart also lists previous readings in your area. The largest increases are highlighted.
We continue to monitor E.coli levels in order to locate septic or run-off problems.