In consultation with the Town of Saugeen Shores, Grey Bruce Public Health has posted Southampton Beach as unsafe for swimming after water-sampling results – taken Wednesday and received Friday afternoon – showed bacterial levels exceeding Ontario Ministry of Health standards.

Water sampling includes water for the Southampton Beach from High St. to Beach Road. In addition, water testing came back as safe to swim for Gobles Grove and Port Elgin Main Beach.

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.

“Grey Bruce Public Health advises against swimming or playing in the water at Southampton Beach due to high bacteria levels taken earlier this week,” says Senior Public Health Manager Andrew Barton.

“GBPH likely won’t receive confirmed lab results until the middle of next week, due to the long weekend. When bacteria levels in beach water exceed Ontario guidelines, swimmers are at an increased risk of getting sick or an infection.”

Residents and visitors should refrain from swimming or playing in the beach water at Southampton Beach or let pets drink the water until the no-swimming advisory is lifted.