The Aporia
The Aporia
Torstar Open Data Team. (2026, September 6). Stay out of the water at four Toronto public beaches. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/beach-water-quality/stay-out-of-the-water-at-four-toronto-public-beaches/article_7b432491-07fd-516c-9747-b838831e893f.html
Torstar Open Data Team. “Stay out of the water at four Toronto public beaches.” Toronto Star, 6 Sept. 2026, https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/beach-water-quality/stay-out-of-the-water-at-four-toronto-public-beaches/article_7b432491-07fd-516c-9747-b838831e893f.html.
Torstar Open Data Team. “Stay out of the water at four Toronto public beaches.” Toronto Star, September 6, 2026. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/beach-water-quality/stay-out-of-the-water-at-four-toronto-public-beaches/article_7b432491-07fd-516c-9747-b838831e893f.html.
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As of September 6 at 5 p.m., four public beaches in Toronto are closed due to poor water quality: Marie Curtis Park, Sunnyside, Ward’s Island, and Cherry. According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, water is considered unsafe for swimming if one sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or the average of five samples is 200 or more. Swimming in contaminated water can cause serious illness, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. High levels of E. coli may also indicate the presence of other harmful organisms that can cause skin rashes and infections. The closures are due to high levels of E. coli detected in the water at these beaches, although it's worth noting that the latest available data may not reflect current conditions, as collecting and testing beach water for E. coli can take a day or more. This is not an isolated issue, as swimming is also recommended against when it's raining, the water is wavy or cloudy, there are many birds present, or two days after a big storm.
