Waverly and Bay beaches test unsafe for swimming

Brent Jones
August 10, 2025 at 4:27 AM

Two local beaches are posted unsafe for swimming, according to the latest Niagara Region Public Health water quality report.

As of Saturday at 5 p.m., Bay Beach and Waverly Beach were both deemed unsafe.

Bay Beach tested unsafe for swimming on August 7 due to elevated E. coli levels, while Waverly Beach was posted on July 28 because of the presence of blue-green algae.

Bernard Avenue Beach and Crescent Beach, both tested on July 29, are considered safe for swimming.

Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines classify beach water as unsafe when a single sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or when the geometric mean of five samples is 200 or more.

Blue-green algae, which can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals, can also produce an “unsafe to swim” result.

Public health officials caution that results may not reflect same-day conditions, as testing can take more than a day. Swimming is discouraged after heavy rainfall, in wavy or cloudy water, or when large numbers of birds are present.

Exposure to high levels of E. coli or blue-green algae can cause stomach illness, rashes, and infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

Daily beach water quality results are available on the Niagara Region Public Health website.