Gull Lake beach posted with health warning again

Warnings were previously posted at the Gull Lake Rotary Park beach the week of July 20 for a similar bacteria alert.

GRAVENHURST — Rain or shine, it’s been a tough year for swimmers and sunbathers at Gravenhurst’s Gull Lake Rotary Park beach.

The warning signs are back up at Gull Lake Rotary Park in Gravenhurst Wednesday alerting swimmers and sunbathers to be careful around the water. Particularly do not dunk your head in the water, drink the water or get it in or near your eyes and ears.

Based on beach water samples collected by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit on Tuesday July 31, it has been recommended that the swim advisory signs be brought out again.

A few weeks ago they were just put away after a few days’ use.

But Tuesday, the geometric mean of samples collected from the beach was 221 E. coli per 100 mL which exceeds the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100ml.

During a swimming advisory, the beach will be posted with warning signs indicating the most recent water samples and bacteria rate and “elevated” status.

These rates may mean swimmers or people just wading in the beach water could increase the risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections or stomach illness.

The health unit and town say that if you choose to swim during an advisory, avoid dunking your head or swallowing the water, or getting it in your eyes or ears.

In June the beach was closed due to harmful debris found in the sand.