Maybe the signs are too small.
Maybe there are just too many signs posted at the entrance to the beaches.
Whatever the reason, some beach-goers at Innisfil Beach Park on Friday were ignoring the swim advisory warnings that have been posted by the town and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, warning of elevated levels of bacteria in the waters of Lake Simcoe.
Despite the advisories, there were plenty of people beating the heat by swimming in the lake.
As a result of weekly water testing, the Health Unit had issued an advisory for the north beaches at Innisfil Beach Park on July 15, due to elevated levels of E.coli.
A swim advisory does not close the beach, but warns those entering the water that they are at risk of infection, and should not submerge the head or ingest any water.
“Shoot, I didn’t notice that,” said one parent, when the advisory was pointed out.
Innisfil Beach Park's South Beach, and Leonard's Beach have also been tested, and are not the subject of an advisory.
Information on the status of beaches – open, closed, or under a swim advisory – is available on the Health Unit’s website. Click here to see the current status of a favourite beach in Simcoe Muskoka.
The advisories were not the only signs have no impact.
Beach-goers were also ignoring the signs promoting Innisfil's ‘Beaches in motion’ policy that bans blankets, beach umbrellas and chairs, and restricts use of the sandy beaches to activities and water access.
