Canatara Beach (Photo submitted by Larry Gordon)Canatara Beach (Photo submitted by Larry Gordon)
Sarnia

New Monitoring System To Limit Beach Closures

It's hoped Lambton Public Health's new beach monitoring system will limit the number and duration of closures this summer.

Conditions at Grand Bend, Canatara Park, Ipperwash, and Bright's Grove beaches will now be looked at daily using predictive models.

Public Health Inspector Theresa Warren says they had been monitored weekly in the past, but the new system will allow for more accurate conditions.

She says they won't have to close a beach for a week at a time.

"We are using a predictive beach model, which is a statistical equation that takes into account certain conditions at the beach," says Warren. "Those include heavy rainfall, wave activity, wind speed, etc. that we know influence water and water quality."

Pinery Provincial Park and C.J. McEwan beaches will continue to be monitored weekly.

There's also a new text system that allows residents to get up to date information.

You can text the word "beach" to 226-909-3003 or call the Beach Info Line at 519-383-3816.

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