Rainbow Haven Beach and Lawrencetown Beach in Halifax have been reopened for swimming after a temporary closure this past weekend due to elevated bacteria levels. Initially deemed unsafe for swimming with potential health risks, water tests revealed bacterial concentrations exceeding the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s acceptable threshold.
Paul D’Eon, director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, confirmed that early Friday morning samplings detected heightened levels of enterococci, a saltwater bacteria similar to E. coli found in freshwater sources. However, subsequent lab results on Monday morning indicated that the water quality had improved, making it safe for swimming once again, as verified by Nova Scotia Parks.