In hot summer weather, swimming is a great way to cool off.
However, if the water is polluted with chemicals or microbes, the water is no longer safe to swim in.
The beaches at Marie Curtis Park flank the outlet of Etobicoke Creek. Along the shore of Lake Ontario on the south side of Lake Promenade there are several outlets for storm sewers.
When there are periods of rain, the runoff channels into Etobicoke Creek and through the storm sewer system. This carries chemicals and microbes from the surrounding land out into Lake Ontario near the beaches at Marie Curtis, making the water unsafe for swimming.
The chart to the right shows levels of E. Coli, a bacteria, as measured by City staff at the beach each day, as well as rainfall measured each day. When there are more than 100 E.Coli bacteria per 100 ml of water, the City considers the water unsafe for swimming.
You should see a pattern that shows the beach unsafe for swimming one or two days after a day of rain. You should also see that, when there has been higher levels of rainfall, the E. Coli count gets very large.
So, when you are considering going swimming at Marie Curtis, please consult this page to see how much rain has occurred recently. If there was rain one or two days ago, it probably will not be safe to go swimming at the beach for one or two days. Consider postponing your outing.
We’re planning to update this page daily.