**** HRM Media Release

Bedford Basin unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels in the water

The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that water quality in the Bedford Basin has been deemed unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels in the water.

The municipality does not regularly test the water quality of the Bedford Basin for swimming, however, during an investigation being carried out by Halifax Water, which is on-going, it was discovered that bacteria levels exceed Health Canada swimming guidelines.

The Halifax Regional Municipality does not recommend swimming in the Bedford Basin or at any other location that is not regularly tested for water quality.

High bacteria levels can be caused by a number of factors, including dogs, birds, wildlife, and high temperatures.

The municipality will not be providing an update on the water quality in the Bedford Basin and further testing will not be carried out.

For a list of municipal beaches that are regularly tested for water quality, please visit our beaches page.