Grey Bruce Public Health, in consultation with the City of Owen Sound, has posted the beach at Kelso Beach at Nawash Park in Owen Sound as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results – received Friday afternoon – showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.

The beach will remain posted until further samples return with levels within the acceptable range for swimming/bathing. Public Health plans to resample the beach early next week.

“While the weather forecasted for this weekend looks favourable for swimming, Grey Bruce Public Health advises against doing so at Kelso Beach due to high bacteria levels, likely caused by the recent heavy rainfall,” says Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton.

“When bacteria levels in beach water exceed Ontario guidelines, swimmers are at an increased risk of getting sick or an infection.”

Kelso Beach at Nawash Park remains open. People shouldn’t swim or play in the beach water at Kelso or let pets drink the water until the no-swimming advisory is lifted.

The splash pad at the park is not impacted by this advisory as it is served by the municipal water system. The City of Owen Sound also advises that the water used in the Kelso Beach washrooms and other potable water at the park is safe to use.