Point Edward, ON – Lambton Public Health will begin the 2026 beach water quality monitoring program on Monday, June 1 at public beaches scheduled for monitoring across Lambton County. During the summer months, Lambton Public Health monitors beach water quality at designated public beaches in Lambton County. 

Predictive beach-water sampling and water sample analysis will be used to determine if beaches are safe to access. A beach’s status will be indicated in one of two ways: 

• Posted – warning sign displayed. Unsafe for swimming as high levels of bacteria in the waters may pose a risk to your health. 

• Not posted – caution sign displayed. No water quality issues but continue to monitor for changes. Cloudy water caused by high wave activity and heavy rainfall may contain high levels of bacteria. 

Predictive beach model monitoring will be used at five of Lambton’s public beaches and monitored daily, while water sampling and testing will be conducted weekly at two additional locations. Monitoring continues until Friday, August 28, 2026. 

“The predictive beach model monitoring system provides a more accurate representation of water quality and allows us to relay this information to the public sooner,” said Lori Lucas, Health Protection Supervisor with Lambton Public Health. 

Lambton County beachgoers will be able to access water quality status reports in three different ways: 

• Text the word Beach to 226-909-3003 

• Call Beach InfoLine at 519-383-3816 or toll-free 1-800-667-1839 ext. 3816 

• Visit our website LambtonPublicHealth.ca 

Beaches monitored daily (Monday-Friday) using predictive models include: 

• Grand Bend (North Beach) 

• Grand Bend (South Beach) 

• Ipperwash Main Beach 

• Bright’s Grove (including Mike Weir Park) 

• Canatara Park 

Beaches monitored weekly (water sampling with lab analysis) include: 

• Pinery Provincial Park 

• Highland Glen Park 

No sampling occurs along the St. Clair River; however, a caution sign that advises of high bacteria levels following heavy rainfall has been permanently placed at: 

• Branton Cundick Park 

• Brander Park 

• Seager Park 

Lambton Public Health’s Climate Change Dashboard examines the impacts of climate change by monitoring and exploring local trends, including the annual number of times a monitored public beach was posted as unsafe for swimming in Lambton County.  

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Please contact: 

LPH-media-inquiries@county-lambton.on.ca 

Related resources: 

Beach water quality monitoring program in Lambton https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/public-reports/disclaimer/#beaches 

Inspection reports  https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/public-reports/#inspection-results 

Climate Change Dashboard 
https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/climate-change-dashboard/