Hi Everyone! Please click below to see the latest water quality report from Hastings Prince Edward Health.
https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/7454
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health issues beach advisories when the geometric mean concentration of at least five samples is at least 200 E. coli / 100 mL of water or when a single sample is at least 400 E. coli / 100 mL of water. This guideline comes from Canada’s Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality (2012). It is applied to beaches in Ontario in accordance with Ontario’s Recreational Water Protocol, 2018. Prior to 2018 beaches in Ontario were posted when the geometric mean of 5 samples collected within a 30-day period exceeded 100 E. coli / 100 mL of water. Results are posted to Swim Guide as soon as lab results are available.
The PLCA has entered into the Lake Partner Program with the Ministry of the Environment. The program provides testing for Total Phosphorous (TP) in our lake water. TP concentrations are ideally used to interpret lake nutrient status since phosphorus is the element that controls the growth of algae in most Ontario lakes. Increases in phosphorus may decrease water clarity by stimulating algal growth. In extreme cases, algal blooms will affect the aesthetics of the lake and/or cause taste and odour problems in the water. The MOE provides a document for interpreting Phosphorous results.
Checkout These Helpful Readings for Further Information
Take The Plunge – A Guide to Stewardship of Ontario’s Waters
Cottage Country: Environmental Manual for Cottagers
Ontario’s Cottage Country Lakes: Long-Term Trends in Water Quality from the Lake Partner Program
Please reach out to lake steward, Jeff Potter (jeffp@papineaulake.com) for further questions and/or concerns.