Beach Water Testing>
Every summer between June and September (Labour Day weekend), the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) collects water samples from public beaches within Simcoe and Muskoka.
The SMDHU test the water samples for levels of E. coli bacteria. When elevated levels of E. coli are present in the water samples, the beach may be posted with an advisory warning indicating it is unsafe for swimming, or the beach may be closed. Bacteria levels can increase in recreational beach water due to heavy rainfall, cloudy water, a large number of swimmers, a large number of birds, shallow water, wet sand, wind and high waves.