Pittock unsafe for swimming
News
Posted By Elliot Ferguson SENTINEL-REVIEW
Updated 1 month ago
The Pittock Reservoir in Woodstock has been marked as unsafe for swimming by Oxford County Public Health.
The reservoir is one of three water bodies public health now says are unsafe to swim in.
Lake Lisgar in Tillsonburg and Lake Park Haven in Innerkip have also been posted as unsafe.
Public health said Lake Sunova in Lakeside, Spring Lake in Mount Elgin and Trout Lake in Innerkip are still safe for swimming.
Water is tested for E. coli bacteria, which is an indicator that there is fecal contamination present from either animal or human or both.
E. coli, as well as the presence of other disease-causing organisms, can cause skin, eye, ear, nose and throat infections or gastrointestinal illness.
Weather conditions can also adversely affect water quality.
People should not swim if the water is cloudy from wave action or following a heavy rainfall. After a heavy rainfall, the water may be polluted with high levels of bacteria for up to two days.
If water results show a public beach is unsafe for swimming, a red warning sign is posted at the beach to indicate the water may pose a risk to your health and swimming is not recommended.
The recreational water quality guideline of 100 E. coli per 100 ml of water is set jointly by the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care.
Topic guidelines: We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.
Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers.
