Public Service Announcement

Black Rock Beach, Dingle Beach and Kinsmen Beach Closed to Swimmers

(Thursday, August 26, 2010) - HRM wishes to advise the public that Black Rock Beach and the Dingle Beach have been closed temporarily for swimming as a precautionary measure due to the heavy rains. Lifeguards will be on duty to advise the public that the beaches are closed.

Kinsman Beach has been closed due to high bacteria counts discovered after water testing.  Lifeguards will be on duty to advise the public that the beaches are closed.

Testing is being conducted to determine if the water is safe for swimming due to the overflow of screened wastewater into the harbour as a result of the heavy rain. Beaches will reopen as soon as the tests indicate that the water is safe for swimming. This temporary closure of the beaches is a precautionary measure that will take place whenever there is a heavy rainfall that increases the flow in the collection system to more than four times the normal wet weather flow.

For up-to-date information on beach conditions, please call the HRM Beach Line at 490-5458 or check the beach page at www.halifax.ca.

- 30 -

Contact:

John Henry

Coordinator - Aquatic Services
479-4690