North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
2018 Beach Sampling Report
Prepared for:
Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health Shannon Mantha, Executive Director, Community Services Robert A-Muhong, Environmental Health Program Manager
Prepared by: Teresina Palangio, C.P.H.I.(C) December 2018
Table of Contents
Highlights ...... 2 Introduction ...... 3 Beach Sampling Methodology ...... 3 Results ...... 6 Interpretation ...... 7 Discussion...... 7 References ...... 9 Appendices: ...... 10
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Highlights
During the 2018 bathing season, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU) sampled 60 public beaches. Similar to the previous year, one beach was added for sampling when it was found to meet the definition of a public beach, as per the Recreational Water Protocol, 2018.
Monthly sampling for 56 beaches in the NBPSDHU district was conducted, and two beaches located within the City of North Bay were sampled weekly. One beach in the City of North Bay was sampled four times per week to gather data for a related study. One beach located in the Town of Parry Sound was sampled monthly by the NBPSDHU and weekly by the municipality to maintain its Blue Flag status.
Samples collected from nine of the 60 beaches resulted in 10 adverse geometric means (GM’s). Among those beaches with adverse GM’s, no adverse re-sampling results were received, therefore, no beaches were posted to warn swimmers of adverse bacteriological results. Amelia Beach in the City of North Bay was permanently posted prior to the 2018 bathing season due to historical high levels of bacteria, and remained permanently closed by the City of North Bay in 2018.
Ten public beaches were affected by the detection of harmful algal blooms (HAB). The appearance of HAB at Callander Centennial Park Beach, Callander Bay Beach, Dobb’s Beach, Lions Park Beach, Sundridge Victoria Beach, Barrie Street Beach, Union Street Beach, Checkerboard Beach, Sunny Ridge Beach, and South Lake Bernard Beach resulted in posting of HAB signage, and monitoring until conditions returned to normal.
Seventeen beaches were permanently posted with notices warning swimmers about the potential presence of swimmer’s itch based on public feedback. The following beaches had swimmer’s itch notification signs posted during the 2018 bathing season: 4 Mile Lake Beach, Bell Lake Beach, Big Moose Beach, Birchaven Cove, Champlain Beach, Eva Wardlaw Park Beach, Foley Matheson Beach, Golden Mile Beach, Lac Clair Beach, Marathon Beach, Mattawa Town Beach, North Bay Kinsmen Beach, Olmsted Beach, Rosseau Beach, Silver Beach, Sturgeon Falls Beach and Sunset Park Beach.
A three-year study to examine the relationship between turbidity and bacteria levels in recreational water continued into its final year during the 2018 bathing season. Turbidity data were collected daily at Marathon Beach starting in June 2018. The goal of the study is to establish a specific threshold turbidity value that may be significantly correlated to adverse sampling results.
Based on 2018 beach sampling, recommendations for 2019 include:
1. Continue to work with municipalities, emphasizing the importance of the beach sampling program and the use of signage.
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2. Locate signage upon first visits to each beach for sampling, and communicate if signage is not posted. Improve signage visibility and permanency by working with municipalities. 3. Implement an online disclosure system/program and explore the possibility of posting sample results on social media. 4. Continue to conduct beach sampling in pairs for safety. 5. Continue sampling on the first business day to allow sufficient time for response (eg. possible re-sampling and posting), during the same week. 6. Reconsider sampling following heavy rainfall and the posting of beaches as a result. 7. Consider reducing the number of beaches sampled in 2019 by removing those that have not established a history of adverse GM’s. 8. Continue delivering water samples from Parry Sound to the Sudbury Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) to avoid issues with courier deliveries. Introduction
The purpose of the Beach Sampling Program is to assist in the prevention and reduction of water-borne illness and injury related to recreational water use at public beaches. The 2018 Beach Sampling Program at the NBPSDHU was carried out in accordance with:
1. Operational Approaches for Recreational Water, 2018, and 2. Recreational Water Protocol, 2018
These documents are set out in the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care’s (MOHLTC) 2008 Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS). The documents focus on ongoing review, support and enhancement so that their content may continually evolve. An evidence-based, scientific approach leads to the development of changing criteria to address emerging public health hazards.
Recreational water quality may be influenced by various environmental and built factors, including: rainfall; wave action; water and ambient air temperatures; waterfowl; industrial waste discharges; storm water outflows; septic system discharges and agricultural run-off. Therefore, a comprehensive surveillance strategy is required to ensure public safety.
Beach Sampling Methodology
Sixty beaches were sampled as part of the 2018 beach sampling program. The sampling frequency was determined based on risk assessment in accordance with the Recreational Water Protocol, 2018, and Operational Approaches for Recreational Water, 2018, as follows: Two beaches within the City of North Bay (Olmsted Beach and Birchaven Cove) were sampled weekly due to popularity. A three-year study to examine the relationship between turbidity and bacteria levels in recreational water continued into its third year during the 2018 bathing season. Daily turbidity data was collected at Marathon Beach starting in June 2018, and ending in September 2018. A sufficient sample size was obtained by the end of 2018 with a goal to
2018 Beach Sampling Report Page 3 establish a specific threshold turbidity value that may be significantly correlated to adverse sampling results.
Waubuno Beach, located in the Town of Parry Sound, was sampled monthly by the NBPSDHU and weekly by the municipality to maintain its Blue Flag status. Beaches can receive Blue Flag certification through the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) if standards for water quality, safety, environmental education, management and services are met. The Blue Flag is sought by municipalities as an indication of high standards to encourage responsible recreation and attract tourism.
The remaining beaches were sampled monthly. Weekly and monthly sampling were conducted on the first business day of each week to permit resampling and assessments of whether posting would be required during the same week. The 2018 sampling season commenced June 18, 2018 and was extended an additional month to September 11, 2018. This was due to municipal requests based on warmer temperatures and popularity of beaches trending into September.
Public beaches include any public bathing area owned/operated by a municipality to which the general public has access, and where there is reason to believe that there is recreational use of the water (e.g., beach signage, sectioned off swimming area, water safety/rescue equipment, lifeguard chairs, etc.), which may result in waterborne illness or injury as determined by the local medical officer of health.
Recreational Water Protocol, 2018
Prior to the 2018 sampling season, public health inspectors (PHI’s) visited public points of access to surface water to evaluate suitability for inclusion in the beach sampling program. In addition, all municipalities located within the NBPSDHU catchment were contacted and the Municipal Beach Survey (Appendix A) was conducted. Data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet, and used for further contact with municipalities throughout the beach sampling season. The Municipal Survey is required to assist PHI’s in assessing eligibility of beaches for the sampling program, to obtain sign inventory to determine where additional signs could be provided or re-allocated, and to exchange contact information with municipal employees responsible for recreational water.
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Beach Posting: to communicate advisories and/or place signs in response to a swimming advisory or beach closure. Postings are typically communicated through an update on the local health unit’s website or through local media/newspapers. Beach postings inform the public about potential risks to health and safety, based on an assessment of those risks. The owner/operator of the beach is primarily responsible for posting and removing the advisory/signs as conditions warrant.
Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018
A written estimate of the number of beach samples and submission dates during the 2018 beach sampling season was provided to the Head Technologist at the Sudbury Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) in March 2018.
An annual Environmental Survey (Appendix B) was completed for each beach on the first sampling date to assess factors that could compromise their suitability for public bathing. This survey took into account potential sources of bacteriological and chemical pollution that may adversely influence the beach water quality. Diagrams were sketched indicating sampling sites, the layout of the beaches and locations of potential sources of contamination. Where specific concerns were identified, these would be addressed with the municipality or land owners. In the event that a public beach required posting or closure, further investigation into potential environmental and built factors affecting that beach location would be assessed and accounted for.
A Public Bathing Beach Field Data Report (Appendix C) was completed for each beach, on each date that water samples were collected. Date, time, air temperature, water temperature, rainfall 48 hours prior to sampling, rain intensity, sunlight, water clarity, wave action, wind direction, subsurface conditions, beach sediments, approximate number of people using the beach, approximate number of people in the water, and presence and type of wildlife or domestic animals were recorded on the sheets. Turbidity data measured in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) was also collected for Marathon Beach only. This information will be analyzed later to determine correlations with high bacteriological readings.
The Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018 suggests water samples be taken at five sites when the length of the beach is 1000m or less. All of the public beaches sampled during the 2018 bathing season were 1000m or less in length, and as such, five samples were taken within the bathing area at each beach. Sterile, four-barcoded, 200mL plastic water bottles provided by the SPHL were used to collect the water samples.
Five water bottles were labeled according to their sampling locations from left to right, with numbers 1 to 5, respectively. The bottles were placed in a bag carried by the sampler who
2018 Beach Sampling Report Page 5 waded to a depth of approximately 1m and filled bottles 30cm below the water surface. Bottles were capped immediately taking special care not to contaminate the sample.
Bacteriological Analysis of Water (Appendix D) laboratory requisition forms were filled out for samples at each beach and placed in plastic bags with their respective group of water samples. Water samples were then placed in coolers containing ice packs for transportation back to the NBPSDHU. Upon return to the office, used ice packs were substituted for new frozen ones in the coolers and transportation to the SPHL was arranged via courier from the North Bay office, and delivered by a PHI from the Parry Sound office.
The North Bay office courier collected samples for shipment to SPHL by approximately 3:30 pm on each sampling date. Water samples were analyzed for E.coli concentrations and reported as the number of colony forming units (CFU) per 100mL of water. All sample results were faxed to the NBPSDHU within two days of the samples being submitted. The geometric mean (GM) of the five water samples taken at each beach was calculated by the SPHL, and included in the results. The GM uses the product of the set of five beach samples to indicate the central tendency, so it is favoured in lieu of the arithmetic mean which only uses their sum. The resulting average is less influenced by extreme outliers.
Beaches with adverse water test results constituting a GM meeting or exceeding 200 CFU E.coli/100mL and/or a single sample result meeting or exceeding 400CFU E.coli/100mL were immediately re-sampled. Where re-sample results were also adverse, beaches would be posted. Beaches were equipped with Rainfall Warning/Warning flip signs (Appendix E) which were permanently set to ‘Rainfall Warning’, and changed to ‘Warning’ in the event a beach required ‘posting’.
Data from the Bacteriological Analysis of Water forms and Public Bathing Beach Field Data Reports were entered into an Excel spreadsheet for each beach All data pertaining to the beach sampling program was electronically filed and available to the Environmental Health department through a shared electronic folder. Results
During the 2018 bathing season, all samples arrived to the SPHL on time. Samples from the Parry Sound district were transported directly to the SPHL by a PHI to ensure they arrived within the required timeframe. No samples were rejected or untested.
Of the 60 beaches sampled, 50 (83%) did not return adverse GM’s throughout the 2018 bathing season. Ten adverse results were obtained from 9 beaches, including Ahmic Harbour Beach (1), Big Moose Beach (1), Birchaven Cove (1), Bonfield Dam (1), Golden Mile Beach (1), Marathon Beach (1), North Bay Kinsmen Beach (1), Silver Beach (1) and Sunset Park Beach (2). The variables historically most positively associated with adverse GM’s were rainfall that occurred in the 48 hours preceding sampling, and water clarity.
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The overall data did not reveal any obvious correlations to variables. Rainfall in the 48 hours preceding sampling was historically found to be positively correlated to adverse sample results, although it was not found to be a statistically significant correlation in 2018.
The desire to measure turbidity (NTU) in lieu of qualitative observation was expressed after water clarity <100cm (poor visibility at a water depth of 100cm) was found to have a strong positive correlation to adverse sample results in 2015. Data collection for a study that commenced in 2016 concluded at the end of 2018 when a sufficient sample size (n≥100) was available. An interim linear correlation of available data for Marathon Beach was conducted in 2016 to examine turbidity as a predictor variable. The calculation showed there was evidence of a weak relationship between turbidity and adverse sample results, i.e.) as turbidity increased, the GM also increased; however, the calculation was not statistically significant.
Interpretation
Although there is likely a synergistic effect of several variables on water test results, rainfall and water clarity are most often considered to be strong influences on water quality. Rain washes pollutants and bacteria from the land into bodies of water so that higher bacteria levels can be observed following rainfall. Subsequently, when there is increased suspension of organic and inorganic particles in the water column, water clarity becomes poor. Various-sized particles such as sand, silt, clay and detritus will physically harbor microorganisms. These two variables have positive correlations to adverse water test results. In addition to the increased risk of bacteriological contamination, poor water clarity is also a known safety hazard during recreational water use. When visibility in the water is poor, it is difficult and sometimes not possible to notice bathers in distress.
Discussion
Objectives identified for the 2018 bathing season were accomplished. The following recommendations from the 2017 beach sampling season were followed during 2018:
1. Continue to work with municipalities, emphasizing the importance of the beach sampling program and the use of signage 2. Locate signage upon first visits to each beach for sampling, and communicate if signage is not posted. Improve signage visibility and permanency by working with municipalities 3. Continue to explore the possibility of an online disclosure system/program and/or the posting of sampling results on social media 4. Continue to conduct beach sampling in pairs for safety
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5. Continue sampling on the first business day to allow sufficient time for response (eg. possible re-sampling and posting), during the same week 6. Continue having samples from Parry Sound driven to the SPHL to avoid issues with courier deliveries.
The practicality of sampling and/or posting public beaches when heavy rainfall was known to have occurred in the 48 hours preceding sampling was brought into question in 2016. Given the presence of permanent notices warning the public that high bacteria levels can be expected up to 48 hour following heavy rainfall, risk communication is technically accomplished. The NBPSDHU policy regarding the sampling and posting of public beaches in 2018 was re-visited. It was determined that the traditional practice to post beaches based on adverse results would carry on, regardless as to whether heavy rainfall gave rise to the adverse results.
The current persistence model assumes that conditions present during the time of sampling will remain static to the point when results are obtained which is typically two days after sampling. According to the current model, initial adverse water sample results trigger re-sampling to confirm the status, and to rule-out the possibility of sampling error. By the persistence model, risk is not communicated to the public until a full five days following initial sampling, at which point conditions may have returned to normal. In the interest of timely risk communication to the public, it would be beneficial to consider enhancing the current method with a predictability model using measurement of turbidity in NTU at the time of sampling. Turbidity meters are existing equipment that is currently available to the Environmental Health department and would remove the subjectivity of the observation of water clarity. For example, a high turbidity reading during initial sampling would support the accuracy of an initial adverse GM so that a public beach may be posted within two days of sampling rather than four days following initial adverse sample results.
Based on 2018 beach sampling, recommendations for the future include:
1. Continue to work with municipalities, emphasizing the importance of the beach sampling program and the use of signage. 2. Locate signage upon first visits to each beach for sampling, and communicate if signage is not posted. Improve signage visibility and permanency by working with municipalities. 3. Implement an online disclosure system/program and explore the possibility of posting sample results on social media. 4. Continue to conduct beach sampling in pairs for safety. 5. Continue sampling on the first business day to allow sufficient time for response (eg. possible re-sampling and posting), during the same week. 6. Reconsider sampling following heavy rainfall and the posting of beaches as a result. 7. Consider reducing the number of beaches sampled in 2019 by removing those that have not established a history of adverse GM’s. 8. Continue delivering water samples from Parry Sound to the SPHL to avoid issues with courier deliveries.
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References
Health Canada (2012). Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality, Third Edition. Water, Air and Climate Change Bureau, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. (Catalogue No H129-15/2012E). Retrieved from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/guide_water-2012-guide_eau/index- eng.php
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Recreational Water Protocol, 2018. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2018. Retrieved from: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/protocols_g uidelines/Recreational_Water%20Protocol_2018_en.pdf
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2018. Retrieved from: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/protocols_g uidelines/Operational_Approaches_to_Rec_Water_Guideline_2018_en.pdf
Health Protection and Promotion Act, RSO 1990, c H.7. Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h07
Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Ontario public health standards: requirements for programs, services and accountability, 2018. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2018. Available from: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/pubhealth/oph_standards/default.as px
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Appendices
Appendix A Municipal Beach Survey form
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Appendix B Environmental Survey form
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Appendix C Public Bathing Beach Field Data Report form
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Appendix D Bacteriological Analysis of Water form
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Appendix E Rainfall Warning/Warning flip sign
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Rainfall Warning/Warning flip sign
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Appendix F 2018 NBPSDHU Public Beach Master List
Name of Municipality Beach Name Parry Sound District Municipality of Magnetawan Ahmic Harbour Beach Township of Ryerson Ahmic Lake Beach Village of Sundridge Barrie Street Beach Township of McMurrich/Monteith Bear Lake Beach Township of McDougall Bell Lake Beach Township of Strong Checkerboard Beach Township of McKellar Community Centre Beach Township of McMurrich/Monteith Doe Lake Beach Township of Armour Dobb’s Beach Township of Armour Doe Lake Park Public Beach Municipality of Whitstone Dunchurch Beach Township of Seguin First Lake Beach Township of Carling Fitzgerald Beach Township of Seguin Foley Matheson Park & Beach Township of Seguin Horseshoe Lake Beach Township of Seguin Lake Joseph Centennial Beach Township of McKellar Lakeshore Drive Beach Village of Sundridge Lions Park Beach Township of Perry Long Lake Beach Township of McDougall Long Lake Estates Beach Park Municipality of Magnetawan Magnetawan Centennial Park Beach Township of Seguin Maple Key Park & Beach Township of McKellar Maple Wood Beach Town of Kearney McManus Beach Township of McDougall Nine Mile Lake Beach Township of McDougall Nobel Beach Park Township of Perry Perry Clear Lake Beach Township of Seguin Rosseau Waterfront Park Town of Parry Sound Sail Parry Sound Site Beach Township of Carling Shebeshekong Beach Township of Strong South Lake Bernard Beach Township of McKellar Stewart Park Beach Village of Sundridge Sundridge Victoria Beach Township of Strong Sunny Ridge Beach Township of McDougall Taylor Beach Park Township of Strong Union Street Beach Town of Parry Sound Waubuno Beach
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Name of Municipality Beach Names North Bay & District City of North Bay 4 Mile Bay Beach Township of East Ferris Big Moose Beach City of North Bay Birchaven Cove Township of Bonfield Bonfield Dam Beach Municipality of Callander Callander Bay Beach Municipality of Callander Callander Centennial Park Beach Town of Corbeil Centennial Crescent Beach City of North Bay Champlain Park Beach City of North Bay Elks Lodge Park Beach City of North Bay Eva Wardlaw Park Beach City of North Bay Golden Mile Beach Municipality of Powassan Hydropond Beach Municipality of West Nipissing Lac Clair Beach Township of Nipissing Links Beach City of North Bay Marathon Beach Town of Mattawa Mattawa Beach City of North Bay North Bay Kinsmen Beach City of North Bay Olmsted Beach City of North Bay Silver Beach Municipality of West Nipissing Sturgeon Falls Beach City of North Bay Sunset Park Beach Township of Chisholm Wasi Beach Township of Nipissing Wolfe Lake Beach
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