Protecting Health
The Blue Flag Program protects human health. It requires frequent and regular testing of the water quality for the possible presence of human pathogens and viruses.
At freshwater beaches, the best indicator for the possible presence of human pathogens and viruses is E. coli. Similarly, faecal enterococci are the best indicator bacteria for salt water beaches (also referred to as marine beaches).
To be certified, the water quality of a beach must not exceed the Blue Flag standard of 100 counts of E. coli per 100mL of water for fresh water beaches and 35 counts of faecal enterococci per 100mL for marine beaches.
Building on this standard, the program also requires that at least 80% of the water quality test results conducted during the swimming season meet the Blue Flag standard, which assures the public that the water is consistently good for swimming.
Outside of the Blue Flag program, beaches must follow either the national or provincial guidelines for recreational water quality.
In Ontario, beaches adhere to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Beach Management Protocol
Other provinces follow the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality
In an effort to let beach goers know where it's best to swim, water quality results of all Blue Flag beaches are posted as soon as they are available. View each beach to check the most recent water quality results.
Learn more about Microbiological and Physical/Chemical water quality indicators
Microbiological indicators
Canada has strict federal and provincial guidelines that require health authorities to frequently test recreational water for any potentially dangerous pathogens that could cause illness in swimmers.
Human waste carries pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that may cause illness, such as ear, nose and throat infections, stomach upsets, skin rashes and diarrhea. Therefore appropriate authorities test recreational waters for the presence of human sewage.
In freshwater, the best indicator for the presence of human sewage is Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is found in the digestive system of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some strains (including 0157:H7) can be toxic, causing serious illness. If a high density of E. coli is present, then it is assumed that other pathogens associated with human sewage could be present in the water and pose a risk to swimmers. Young children, the elderly and those with depressed immune systems are most susceptible to infection.
Canadian authorities have set guidelines for the presence of E. coli in recreational water in order to reduce the risk of exposure to potential pathogens that may cause illness. The guideline issued by Health Canada in Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality is 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water. In Ontario, the maximum allowable limit for E. coli in recreational water is even lower at 100 E. coli per 100 ml of water. Every other province uses Health Canada's guideline.
In marine water, the best indicator bacteria is the group known as enterococci, which are present in both human and animal fecal matter. The guideline issued by Health Canada is 35 enterococci per 100 ml of water.
Physical/Chemical Indicators
Human exposure to chemicals in water most often results from eating fish. In fact, studies have shown that 80-90% of exposure to pollutants comes from the food pathway.
Swimming in water like the Great Lakes, that may contain pollutants, will not adversely impact your health. In fact, less than 1% of exposure to pollutants comes from water sources. While absorption and ingestion are exposure routes, there are other pathways that pose greater risks such as inhalation of air.
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For more information, visit the following links:
Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water QualityGuidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality
Provincial Water Quality Objectives of the Ministry of Environment and Energy
City of Toronto - Water Quality Information