Protect Your Beach
Everybody loves beaches. There's nothing better than hanging with your friends and family on a beach soaking up the rays and taking a dip. Beaches are extremely valuable places. They are important to our quality of life; healthy beaches sustain our health and our children's health. They support economic development. Beaches aid in storm protection along the coast, are vital to our tourism industry, and are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
What does a beach mean to you? Let us know
The Blue Flag program is helping to protect beaches but there is more we can do. Beaches are still being threatened by:
- pollution - runoff and sewage negatively affecting water quality;
- climate change;
- poorly planned development;
- loss of natural habitat, species of plants and animals; and,
- litter and other waste materials.
The good news is that you can help protect our beaches! In fact, the smallest action often makes the biggest difference. At home, and while visiting the beach, you can start making your difference now! Here's some tips:
At Home:
- Pick up after your pet. Pet wastes can pollute the lake with harmful E. coli.
- Conserve water. Take shorter showers, never run water unnecessarily, and use cold water instead of warm.
- To reduce the amount of water, pesticides and chemical fertilizers you use in the garden, try planting native species. These plants have adapted to the local climate and require fless water to thrive.
- Be conscious of what is going down the drain. Do not dump hazardous household products and chemicals down the drain. Whenever possible, use non-toxic household products.
- Downspouts on many homes carry polluted rainwater from the building roof directly into the combined sewer system which can affect beaches. Keep beaches healthy by disconnecting your eavestrough downspout to allow the water to be discharged on to your lawn or garden.
At the Beach:
- Respect the beach and natural sensitive areas. Keep clear of areas marked as sensitive. Not respecting these areas can have huge negative effects on beach vegetation and animals.
- Garbage is the most visible sign of pollution on beaches. It attracts unwanted pests. Be responsible for your garbage by placing all garbage and recyclables in the proper bins.
- Food and waste attract wild visitors that can affect water quality. Whatever you take to the beach, you take away. Use reusable containers or try to bring a limited amount of food to the beach to avoid attracting wildlife.
- Observe local by-laws that prohibit dogs at swimming beaches. Many municipalities have dog off-leash areas for your pet.