Water Quality Advisory issued for Sunnyside Beach in Toronto

Toronto Public Health has issued a water quality advisory for Sunnyside Beach, effective August 23 at 5 p.m. Current reports indicate that the water at this location is deemed unsafe for swimming due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.

According to guidelines established by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, swimming is not recommended when E. coli levels reach 400 or more per 100 millilitres in a sample, or a geometric mean of five samples reaches 200 or more.

It is important to note that water testing can take a day or more. Therefore, the latest data may not fully reflect the actual conditions present at the beach. Additionally, swimming is discouraged during rainy weather, when the water is wavy or cloudy, or if there is an abundant presence of birds.

Exposure to E. coli can lead to serious health issues, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The presence of high levels of this bacteria may also indicate the likelihood of other harmful organisms, which can cause skin rashes and infections affecting the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

In addition to bacterial concerns, several environmental factors can render a beach unsafe, such as runoff, pollution, unpleasant smells, garbage, sharp debris, and dead fish. Public beaches are further monitored for harmful blue-green algae, which poses significant risks to humans and pets.