COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Update

Free flu shots and updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available at participating pharmacies and primary care provider offices. Huron Perth Public Health will not be holding COVID-19 or flu shot clinics this fall for the general public.  

In November, HPPH will offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children aged 11 years and younger only. Appointments are required and can be made online at www.ontario.ca/book-vaccine.

Beach Water Quality

Huron Perth Public Health tests beach water for unsafe bacteria. When levels of E. coli bacteria exceed the Ministry of Health guidelines, we will advise: High bacterial results – Swimming not recommended. This is a recommendation that you shouldn't swim, or if you do swim, you're doing so at your own risk. If you swim, you could be exposed to bacteria that may cause diarrhea or infections of your ears, nose, throat, eyes, and skin. 

At the beach, you might see a sign warning you to stay out of the water. Besides E. coli, signs can be posted for algae, chemical or sewage spills, or other factors.  

Is it safe to swim?

Huron Perth Public Health regularly samples the beaches for bacteria. However, due to the delay in receiving lab results, beach goers cannot rely on only lab results to know if it is safe to swim. 

Ask yourself these questions to decide if it's safe to swim: 

  1. Is the water turbid (can't see my feet while standing waist deep in water)?
  2. Has there been heavy rainfall in the last 24 to 48 hours?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, E. coli levels are probably high and it may be unsafe to swim.

The current E.coli test is only an indicator that there was fecal contamination from either animal, human, or both, and that there could have been other harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses present in the water when the samples were collected. 

  • Storm drains and rivers 
  • Septic systems 
  • Groundwater 
  • Birds 
  • Domestic and wild animals 
  • Swimmers 
  • Environmentally adapted strains of E. coli (Edge & Hill, 2005; Gerba, 2000; Haack, Fogarty, & Wright, 2003; Jarvie et al., 2010; Kon, Weir, Howell, Lee, & Trevors, 2009) 

2024 beach water testing

Testing of beach water has ended for the 2024 season. Please check back in June 2025 when testing will resume. 

2024 Huron Perth beach water testing

Contact Us

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0

Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca

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