The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to inform the public that Northwinds Beach is no longer posted as ‘unsafe for swimming’ following testing by the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit.
Samples of the water taken on Friday, July 11, 2025, have been tested and water quality has returned to safe levels for swimming. The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit regularly tests water at high-use beaches across Grey-Bruce for high E. Coli levels, including Northwinds Beach and Little River Beach in The Blue Mountains.
Previous samples, taken on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, showed unacceptable bacteria levels at Northwinds Beach. Samples taken at Little River Beach on July 8 were marked as safe for swimming. A list of public beaches and their most recent test results is available on the Grey Bruce Public Health website.
Grey Bruce Public Health has provided tips to help the public make an informed decision about water quality before they go swimming:
- Do not swim if the beach is posted with a warning sign.
- Do not swim if there has been a heavy rainfall in the last 24 to 48 hours. Bacteria levels may be higher than usual from stormwater runoff.
- Do not swim if the water is so cloudy that you can not see your feet at adult waist depth. Cloudy water may indicate higher bacteria levels.
- Do not swim if there are any other problems with the beach such as a large number of waterfowl, dead fish, algae/scum or dangerous debris.
Following the updated test results, Town staff have removed the posted ‘Unsafe for Swimming’ signs at Northwinds Beach.
For more information, visit the Grey Bruce Public Health website or please email publichealth@
