Posted: November 22, 2013
Is this water safe for swimming?
We want you to explore, enjoy, and fall in love with Ottawa River’s many beaches, so check out the Swim Guide and learn more.
By Ashley Brasfield
Ottawa Riverkeeper employs Riverwatch Volunteers to help test water along the length of the Ottawa River to better understand the overall health of the river. However, for up-to-date information about water quality at your local beach, turn to our free Swim Guide!
The Swim Guide is built and powered by Waterkeepers® all over North America. The app and website connect you to beaches and watering holes in your area and provide you with information to the most pressing question beach goers have … is the water at my beach safe for swimming?
Since 2011, dozens of nonprofit and public organizations have started contributing information to Swim Guide. Since this summer (2013) the Swim Guide includes most official beaches in Canada and the USA. It draws on water quality information from government agencies or from Waterkeepers themselves so that you have access to up-to-date water quality as often as possible.
Ottawa Riverkeeper contributes to Swim Guide for one simple reason: we want people to explore, enjoy, and fall in love with Ottawa River’s many beaches so that our river will be protected for generations to come. This Swim Guide App helps people like you plan your next beach visit during optimal swim conditions.
How does the Swim Guide work?
Ottawa Riverkeeper updates the Swim Guide daily with results from Ottawa Public Health about water quality and beach closures at Ottawa’s five supervised beaches: Mooney’s Bay, Britannia Beach, Westboro Beach, Petrie Island East Bay and Petrie Island River Beach. In Gatineau, The City’s Section des programmes aquatiques is responsible for water quality testing at the city’s Moussette, Beauchamp and des Cèdres beaches. Testing is conducted at these beaches once a week. Results are available on the city’s website and are posted at the beaches themselves. Lifeguards at the beach can also provide citizens with information.
Download this free Swim Guide app and stay up-to-date on your local beach!
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