Five of Toronto's 11 beaches are listed as unsafe for swimming following a weekend of rainy weather.
Heavy rainfall increases E. coli levels in the lake water, a representative of Toronto Public Health said in a statement to CTV Toronto on Monday.
Levels are particularly high at beaches impacted by rivers and creeks, including Marie Curtis Park Beach, Sunnyside Beach and Rouge Beach, the statement said.
"At such beaches, you should avoid entering the waters for a minimum of 48 hours after a heavy rainfall as a general rule," Toronto Public Health spokesperson Mahesh Patel wrote.
"After a major rainstorm, the stormwater runoff carries with it pollution that may have collected on the city’s impervious surfaces. Additionally, similar funoffs from the watershed may also contain human and animal water."
As a result of the weekend storms, it is unsafe to swim at Marie Curtis Park, Sunnyside, Rouge Park, Bluffer’s Beach Park and Centre Island beaches.
The city takes daily water samples from all 11 beaches and posts warning signs at the beaches and online if E.coli levels are high. (http://app.toronto.ca/tpha/beaches.html)
