Waverly Beach unsafe for swimming after latest tests

Brent Jones
August 3, 2025 at 5:12 AM

One Fort Erie beach has been deemed unsafe for swimming, while three others have been given the all-clear, according to the latest water quality report from Niagara Region Public Health.

As of Saturday at 5 p.m., Waverly Beach, located at 271 Helena Street, tested unsafe for swimming due to elevated levels of E. coli.

The beach was last sampled on July 28.

Bernard Avenue Beach, Crescent Beach, and Bay Beach all recently tested safe for swimming.

Ontario public health guidelines consider water unsafe for swimming when a single water sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or when the geometric mean of five samples reaches 200 or more.

Niagara Region Public Health advises that results may not reflect same-day conditions, as testing can take more than 24 hours.

Swimming is not recommended during rainfall, when water is cloudy or wavy, when large numbers of birds are present, or for two days following a major storm.

High E. coli levels can cause stomach illness, rashes, and infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.