Petawawa Catwalk could be closed for season
The Petawawa Catwalk, a popular swimming hole, remains closed this week due to a high level of E. coli in the water.
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit “posted” the beach, located at Centennial Park behind the town hall, on Aug. 3 recommending people not use the beach for recreational purposes.
Between June and September, public health officials collect a minimum of five water samples from municipally-owned and operated beaches. They are analyzed by the provincial public health lab and tested for E. coli, an indicator of sewage contamination.
Bob Schreader, manager of the environmental health department at the Health Unit, explained Friday that if the geometric mean, or average, of five separate samples is greater than 100 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water then inspectors post the beach as unsafe for swimming.
The issue at the Catwalk is the level of the Petawawa River which feeds the area. It is currently at historic lows because of the drought that struck the region in July.
This week, the E. coli was not as high as the week before, however, it remains at unacceptable levels, said Mr. Schreader. While they’ll continue to test samples, he is pessimistic the beach will reopen.
For the latest advisories on the beaches, check the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website at www.rcdhu.com.
The Renfrew County and District Health Unit “posted” the beach, located at Centennial Park behind the town hall, on Aug. 3 recommending people not use the beach for recreational purposes.
Between June and September, public health officials collect a minimum of five water samples from municipally-owned and operated beaches. They are analyzed by the provincial public health lab and tested for E. coli, an indicator of sewage contamination.
Bob Schreader, manager of the environmental health department at the Health Unit, explained Friday that if the geometric mean, or average, of five separate samples is greater than 100 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water then inspectors post the beach as unsafe for swimming.
The issue at the Catwalk is the level of the Petawawa River which feeds the area. It is currently at historic lows because of the drought that struck the region in July.
This week, the E. coli was not as high as the week before, however, it remains at unacceptable levels, said Mr. Schreader. While they’ll continue to test samples, he is pessimistic the beach will reopen.
For the latest advisories on the beaches, check the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website at www.rcdhu.com.