**** CNS Media Release
Cunard Pond Beach reopens to swimming
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that Cunard Pond Beach in Halifax has reopened to swimming following blue-green algae toxin testing.
Test results have indicated toxin levels are within Health Canada limits and no new blue-green algae material has been observed.
Due to staffing constraints, Cunard Pond Beach will be unsupervised for the remainder of the supervised beach season, ending August 31, 2024. Use of the beach will be at the user’s own risk. Bacteria testing and reporting will continue to take place on a weekly basis. Visual monitoring for blue-green algae will continue to take place daily by municipal staff.
When a blue-green algae bloom or mat is observed, a beach closure is issued, and initial testing is done to determine whether the algae bloom is toxin producing. If the algae bloom is not toxin producing, no further testing is required, and the beach will be reopened.
If the algae bloom is toxin producing, further testing will be carried out and the beach will remain closed until blooms have disappeared and post-bloom test results indicate the toxin concentration is within Health Canada guidelines.
Beach users are reminded to look for signs of blue-green algae before entering the water. To learn more about algae blooms, visit www.halifax.ca/cyano.
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Kearney Lake Beach, Kidston Lake Beach and Shubie Park Beach recreational water quality advisories lifted
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the recreational water quality advisories have been lifted at Kearney Lake Beach and Kidston Lake Beach in Halifax, and Shubie Park Beach in Dartmouth.
These are supervised beaches. Municipal staff regularly test the water quality at all supervised municipal beaches during July and August.
Previous test results showed high bacteria levels in the water but followup tests show the water is once again within Health Canada guidelines.
For more information on municipal beaches and outdoor pools across the region, please visit our beaches page.
