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Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Recreational Water
Program OverviewPresentation to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council
November 13, 2019
Image: Hanna Park 2017 – photo credit: SMDHU
Public Health Mandate
Prevent and reduce the burden of water-borne illnesses and injuries
related to recreational water use
Management and
Response
Reporting
Surveillance and
Investigation
Key Partnerships & Collaborations
• Municipalities
• Public Health Ontario - Public Health Laboratory
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Severn Sound Environmental Association
• Muskoka Watershed Council
• Cottager Associations
Beach Monitoring Program
• A Public Beach is:
A beach area owned and/or operated by a
municipality which:
The general public has access to; and
There is evidence of recreational use of
the water
The beach will also be assessed to
determine if a sampling program is
suitable for the site in collaboration with
the municipality
Township of Muskoka Lakes Public Beaches:
Baycliffe, Hanna Park, Jaspen & Windermere
Image: Windermere 2017 – photo credit: SMDHU
Beach Sampling Timelines
• Current persistence model assumes conditions present at the time of
sampling will remain static
• Short E.coli peaks are very common
• Resample beaches where swim advisories are issued
Decision made re:
Swim Advisory
E.coli level
reported
Testing of water
Water sampling
24 hours
Beach Surveillance
Swim Advisory
A swim advisory may be issued when beach
water quality is not suitable for recreational use
Beach Closure
A closure may be ordered under Section 13
order of the HPPA in extreme circumstances:
• Sewage or manure spill
• Chemical or oil spill
• Other conditions that render the beach
unsafe for useImage: Beach Advisory Sign 2017– photo credit: SMDHU
Climate Change & Recreational Water
0
2
4
6
8
10
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Confirmed Blue-green Algae Blooms (2012-2019)
Total
Climate change will alter normal temperatures and weather patterns
• Experiencing an increase in bacteria and algae growth due to warmer
water temperatures
• Response in partnership with the Ministry of Environment Conservation
and Parks
Blue-green algae Response
Report of Suspect Bloom
Sampling Verification of Bloom
Public Notice Issued
MicrocystinReported
Resampling of Waterway
Lifting of Public Notice
2 days ~ 2 weeks
Image: BGA date unknown– photo credit: MECP
Questions
Contact information:
Christina Wieder MPH, BASc., CPHI(C)
Safe Water Program Manager
Image: Jaspen Beach 2017– photo credit: SMDHU
