HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-08-05_MR_Rafuse Cove-Bayswater Water Sampling
MEDIA RELEASE
The Municipality of Chester, through Coastal Action, is conducting a three-month water quality
sampling program in two locations: Western Shore and Bayswater.
Preliminary results indicate that enterococci bacteria levels at one of three testing sites in the
Rafuse Cove area of Western Shore, are higher than the Canadian Guidelines for Recreational
Water Quality, and we are advising residents to avoid using the area for recreational activities
until they improve. The area is Goose Creek (also known as the mouth of Vaughans River) as
indicated on the map below.
According to Health Canada Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality, activities to avoid are
those with primary contact or those “in which the whole body or the face and trunk are frequently
immersed or the face is frequently wetted by spray, and where it is likely that some water will be
swallowed (e.g., swimming, surfing, waterskiing, whitewater canoeing/rafting/kayaking,
windsurfing, subsurface diving).
Secondary contact or “Activities in which only the limbs are regularly wetted and in which greater
contact (including swallowing water) is unusual (e.g. rowing, sailing, canoe touring, fishing)
should also be avoided for the immediate area.
The other two water quality sampling sites in Rafuse Cove and two sites in Bayswater Pond are
well below the guidelines for recreational use. Once the water quality sampling program is
completed in September, Coastal Action will provide the Municipality with a report and
recommendations.
• Testing sites are
o One site at the mouth of Goose Creek (Vaughans River, Western Shore);
o two sites in Rafuse Cove (Western Shore);
o two sites in Bayswater Pond.
• Samples collected are analyzed for enterococci bacteria (Western Shore, marine
environment) and E. coli bacteria (Baywater Pond, freshwater environment).
• Sampling will continue until September 2020 to monitor bacterial levels at all sites.
Coastal Action will provide recommendations as part of a final project report.
DATE: August 5, 2020
SUBJECT: Water Sampling Results
STATUS: PUBLIC –FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2 Media Advisory/Water Sampling Project
We will continue to share results of the testing at these two locations through our social media
and website for the remainder of the sampling program.
Jennifer Webber, Communications Officer
902-275-4107 Desk
902-277-1169 Cell
jwebber@chester.ca
Facebook: /ChesterMunicipality
Twitter: @chestermun