Nine Wellington and Waterloo beaches declared safe for summer swimming

Several beaches across Wellington County and Waterloo Region have opened safely for the summer season. Water quality tests on June 1 confirmed that nine popular swimming spots met health standards. Officials advise swimmers to stay cautious in certain conditions.

All tested beaches passed safety checks on June 1. Guelph Lake Beach and Guelph Lake Island Beach, both located at 7743 Conservation Road in Guelph, were cleared for swimming. Nearby, Rockwood Conservation Area Beach (161 Fall Street South) and Belwood Quarry Beach in Fergus (8282 Wellington County Road 18) also received safe results.

In Waterloo Region, the beach at 625 Westmount Road North was approved for use. Cambridge’s Shade’s Mills Beach (450 Avenue Road) and Ayr’s Pinehurst Lake Beach (468 Pinehurst Road) followed suit. Mapleton’s Conestogo Lake Beach (6580 Wellington County Road 11) completed the list of safe locations. Health guidelines warn against swimming in certain situations. Water is deemed unsafe if a single sample contains 400 or more *E. coli* bacteria per 100 millilitres. A geometric mean of 200 or more across five samples also triggers a warning. Authorities further recommend avoiding the water during rain, rough waves, or cloudy conditions. High bird activity or the two days after a major storm also pose risks.

The June 1 tests confirm that all nine beaches are currently safe for public use. Swimmers should still monitor weather and water conditions before entering. Updated advisories will be issued if bacteria levels rise or hazards appear.