Beach

Water Quality

The Huron County Health Unit samples the Goderich beaches once a week from June to August, in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's Beach Management Protocol. The water quality must not exceed the guideline of 100 E. coli per 100mL of water. For beach water quality information call Beach Water Info line at 519-482-5119 or 1-877-837-6143, ext 2501.

Water Advisory

The quality of Lake Huron water can change dramatically day to day, hour to hour or even minute to minute with either heavy rainfall or high wave action or both. The Health Unit encourages recreational users of Lake Huron to read the signs to reduce health risks and avoid swimming if:

• You can't see your feet when standing in waist deep water; and/or
• A heavy rainfall has occurred up two days prior to swimming.

Blue Flag

The Town of Goderich is happy to be participating in the Blue Flag program.
The Blue Flag is an internationally recognized and respected eco-label awarded to beaches that achieve high standards in water quality, environmental education, environmental management and safety and services. The program is operated nationally by Environmental Defence, a chartable environmental organization. To learn more, visit www.BlueFlag.ca

• Enjoy your visit! Please help protect our beaches
• Enjoy the beach and its surroundings, but treat it with respect
• Help protect the bluffs and sand dunes
• Obey the rules
• Use litter and recycling containers
• When possible; walk, bike or car pool to the beach

Here's what you can do to protect our beaches, from www.blueflag.ca

At Home

• Pick up after your pet. Pet wastes can pollute the lake with harmful E. coli.
• Conserve water. Take shorter showers, never run water unnecessarily, and use cold water instead of warm.
• To reduce the amount of water, pesticides and chemical fertilizers you use in the garden, try planting native species. These plants have adapted to the local climate and require less water to thrive.
• Be conscious of what is going down the drain. Do not dump hazardous household products and chemicals down the drain. Whenever possible, use non-toxic household products. Take hazardous household waste to the Huron County Hazardous Waste Depot located a the Mid Huron Landfill
• Downspouts on many homes carry polluted rainwater from the building roof directly into the combined sewer system which can affect beaches. Keep beaches healthy by disconnecting your eaves trough downspout to allow the water to be discharged on to your lawn or garden. Use a rain barrel!

At the Beach

• Respect the beach and natural sensitive areas. Keep clear of areas marked as sensitive. Not respecting these areas can have huge negative effects on beach vegetation and animals.
• Garbage is the most visible sign of pollution on beaches. It attracts unwanted pests. Be responsible for your garbage by placing all garbage and recyclables in the proper bins. Please don't feed the birds
• Food and waste attract wild visitors that can affect water quality. Whatever you take to the beach, you take away. Use reusable containers or try to bring a limited amount of food to the beach to avoid attracting wildlife.
• Observe local by-laws that prohibit dogs at swimming beaches. Many municipalities have dog off-leash areas for your pet. The Town's is south of the Cove Beach, at the very end of Cove Rd.