Two local beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU).

As of Friday, July 31, swimming is currently prohibited at L’Orignal Beach and at Island Park in Alexandria. High bacteria levels in the water are the reason.

However, on Friday morning, the signs and barriers at the water’s edge were not stopping some people from going into the water.

Swimming in water with high bacteria levels can lead to illnesses.

The beaches at Voyageur Provincial Park remain open for swimming.

For regular updates on beach water quality, go to https://eohu.ca/en/my-environment/public-beach-water-advisories, or https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/voyageur/alerts.

Barriers were placed at the water’s edge at L’Orignal Beach to indicate the water was unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels. Evidently, the signage and barriers were not deterring some people on Friday, July 31. Photo: James Morgan