The water level is too high and the current endangers swimmers in Estrie.
Several beaches, such as Blanchard Beach in Sherbrooke, have no choice but to block access to the water.
“You have to be careful, even if a river looks calm with all the rainfall, the currents are much stronger and you don’t always notice it,” said Quebec Life Saving Society director general Raynald Hawkins.
Rain also affects the water quality.
“As the water rises, it can pick up waste products like animal droppings and throw them into the current. The risk of bacteria rises dramatically at times like this,” said Chantal Pelchat, environmental project manager for the City of Sherbrooke.
Water quality tests are carried out regularly to check whether access to the beaches can be maintained.
To date, nine beaches have received an A rating for “excellent”, ten beaches have received a B rating for “good” and four beaches have received a C rating for “fair”. The beach at Camping Lac Magog has been rated C and is carefully monitoring the situation.
“As long as the instructions do not change, we will remain open.” It’s not our decision, but we will follow the recommendations, that’s for sure,” said co-owner Mélanie Boisvert.
If swimmers take water from a D-rated beach, meaning the water is ‘polluted’, the risk of health problems would be high.
“The most important health problems related to swimming are gastroenteritis (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), ear infections, eye, nose and throat infections and skin diseases,” said the CIUSS de l’Estrie-CHUS.
Sampling tests are carried out two to three times a week and the results are updated as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of contamination.