A handful of signs dot the beach at Minet's Point Park warning swimmers about high bacteria levels in the water.
The swim advisory was posted Tuesday by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit following samples taken during a routine inspection on Monday, July 15.
More samples were to be taken this afternoon, with results expected Wednesday.
During a swimming advisory, the beach is posted with warning signs indicating recent water samples showed bacteria in numbers that may increase a person's risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections or stomach illness.
People who choose to swim during an advisory should avoid dunking their head or swallowing the water, according to the health unit.
From June until the Labour Day weekend in September, health unit staff collect water samples at public beaches in their coverage area. Samples are then tested to determine the level of E. coli bacteria in the water. When elevated bacteria levels are found, a beach can be posted with an advisory indicating it's unsafe for swimming, or it can be closed outright.
According to the health unit, bacteria levels can increase in beach water following a heavy rainfall, cloudy water, a large number of swimmers or birds, shallow water, wet sand, wind and high waves. Beach water may also be unsafe due to excessive weed growth, oil, floating debris, turbidity and blue-green algae blooms.
Health unit staff also make observational safety assessments as part of their summer beach program.
