All four Fort Erie beaches posted unsafe after latest testing

Brent Jones
August 12, 2026 at 8:28 AM

All four Fort Erie beaches monitored by Niagara Region Public Health are now posted unsafe for swimming after the latest round of beach water testing.

According to the Niagara Region, Bay Beach, Bernard Avenue Beach, Crescent Beach and Waverly Beach are all listed as unsafe to swim due to E. coli.

The latest posted results for all four Fort Erie beaches are dated August 11.

The update marks a change from recent testing rounds, when all four local beaches had been listed as open for swimming.

Niagara Region tests public beaches for E. coli between the Victoria Day and Labour Day weekends.

The region says beaches are posted unsafe or closed when water tests show unacceptable levels of E. coli.

Niagara Region says beach water testing results are intended as general guidance because conditions can change quickly due to swimmers, wind, waves, birds, recent heavy rainfall or cloudy water.

Swimming in unsafe water can cause ear, eye, nose, throat and skin infections, as well as diarrhea if the water is swallowed, according to the region.