Water Quality FAQ
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most appropriate indicator of faecal contamination in fresh recreational waters, and enterococci is the most appropriate indicator of faecal contamination in marine recreational waters.
The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality have established guideline values that strike a balance between potential health risks and the benefits of recreational water use in terms of physical activity and enjoyment. There is always a slight risk of health effects when swimming, just as there are risks associated with other common activities, such as driving your car.
The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality consider the water safe for swimming when bacteria levels are below the guideline values listed in the table below. In these cases the water is open and suitable for swimming.
If any of the guideline values below are exceeded, it is no longer considered an acceptable risk, and the public is warned that the water is not suitable for swimming.
Enterococci
A geometric mean of most recent five samples equal to or less than 35 enterococci/100 ml
A single-sample maximum equal to or less than 70 enterococci/100 ml
E. coli
A geometric mean of most recent five samples equal to or less than 200 E. coli/100 ml
A single-sample maximum equal to or less than 400 E. coli/100 ml
The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality consider the water safe for swimming when bacteria levels are below the guideline values listed in the table below. In these cases the water is open and suitable for swimming.
If any of the guideline values below are exceeded, it is no longer considered an acceptable risk, and the public is warned that the water is not suitable for swimming.
Enterococci
A geometric mean of most recent five samples equal to or less than 35 enterococci/100 ml
A single-sample maximum equal to or less than 70 enterococci/100 ml
E. coli
A geometric mean of most recent five samples equal to or less than 200 E. coli/100 ml
A single-sample maximum equal to or less than 400 E. coli/100 ml
Water samples are collected from 5 different locations at Aboiteau BeachWater samples are sent to accredited lab in Moncton, NB for analysisResults are compared to the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality to determine if the water is “Suitable for Swimming” or if a “No Swimming” advisory will be issuedSignage placed at key locations within Aboiteau ParkThe municipality uploads the results on the Aboiteau Beach website and Facebook page
A “No Swimming” advisory means that the bacterial levels found in the water exceed the guidelines values established in the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.
The beach is not closed, and it does not mean that you will get sick if you swim during an advisory. However, swimming in waters with bacteria levels above the Guideline Values increase the risk of illness beyond everyday levels. However, there are always things that you can do to protect yourself while enjoying recreational waters. The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends avoiding swallowing water, putting open sores or wounds in the water, and washing your hands before eating.
The beach would only be closed to the public where evidence suggests that continued operation poses a significant public health risk, such as a chemical spill in the water or on the beach.
The beach is not closed, and it does not mean that you will get sick if you swim during an advisory. However, swimming in waters with bacteria levels above the Guideline Values increase the risk of illness beyond everyday levels. However, there are always things that you can do to protect yourself while enjoying recreational waters. The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends avoiding swallowing water, putting open sores or wounds in the water, and washing your hands before eating.
The beach would only be closed to the public where evidence suggests that continued operation poses a significant public health risk, such as a chemical spill in the water or on the beach.
Once samples are collected, it takes about 24 hours to receive results. Samples must be correctly labelled, packed and transported to the laboratory in Moncton, NB. Once received at the laboratory, the samples must be registered, prepared and analyzed. Results are then documented and compared to the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.
On occasion, the collection of all required samples may not be possible due to weather/environmental conditions, holidays, safety concerns or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. In these situations, we typically test the following day.
CFU stands for 'Colony Forming Units' and refers to the number of viable bacterial cells in a sample per unit of volume. MPN stands for 'Most Probable Number' and refers to an analysis that uses dilution methodology and a probability calculation to determine a statistical estimate of the number of viable cells in a given volume of sample. The two units of measure are widely accepted and used in water quality monitoring programs. The results between the two are essentially equivalent.
The Municipality uniquely tests the water at Aboiteau Beach which is located at 150 Parc Lane in Cap-Pelé, NB. That being said, it is impossible for us to know the water quality of our neighbouring beaches.
Yes, to ensure full transparency, immediately after receiving the testing results, they are posted on Aboiteau Beach’s website and on the @plageaboiteaubeach Facebook page.
Immediately after collecting the samples of water, they are delivered to RPC Laboratories, located at 115 Harrisville Blvd, in Moncton, NB.
Yes, the beaches at provincial parks also have their testing done at RPC Laboratories.
Swimming in waters with bacteria levels above the Guideline Values does not mean that you will get sick, but it increases the risk beyond everyday levels. The level of risk will depend on for how long and by how much the Guideline values are exceeded.
Possible health risks of swimming in water with a high Enterococci or E. coli count could include gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation or infection, upper respiratory illness.
Possible health risks of swimming in water with a high Enterococci or E. coli count could include gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation or infection, upper respiratory illness.