No-swim advisory disappoints tourists, locals at New Brunswick’s Parlee Beach

New Brunswick implemented swimming advisories at Parlee Beach and Mactaquac Provincial Park.

It was perfect weather for a trip to the beach in Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B., Wednesday.

But there was some disappointment.

For the second straight day and the sixth time since June 1, New Brunswick has issued a no-swim advisory for Parlee Beach Provincial Park following bacteria testing.

No-swim advisory signs could clearly be seen at the front entrance to the park and on the beach itself.

It was particularly disappointing for Alain Bourelle of Notre-Dame, N.B., who had family with him from Quebec.

“The thing they wanted most was to go in the ocean and they won’t be able to. They’ll still be able to go on the sand, but no beach. That’s kind of sad. Why? That’s the question,” said Bourelle.

Enterococcus present

Samples collected at Parlee Beach this week have revealed the presence of enterococcus, which can cause UTIs, bacteremia, and infective endocarditis, according to the National Library of Medicine.

According to the province, when bacterial levels are above certain guidelines, a no-swimming advisory is issued.

The public is warned that the water isn’t suitable for swimming, but it doesn’t mean the beach is closed.

The province recommends people avoid swallowing water at beaches, not put water on open wounds or sores, and to wash their hands before eating.

Janelle Collins brought her family from Whitby, Ont., and didn’t want the advisory to ruin their beach day, but there was still some disappointment.

“Absolutely, because it’s hard for us to drive all this way and then we’re not supposed to go in the water, but we’re still going in because we want to enjoy ourselves,” said Collins.

“We came all this way and I was really excited, but yeah it’s kind of disappointing to me,” said Janelle’s 11-year-old daughter Lauren.

Concerns about fecal contamination

The Red Dot Association of Shediac Bay, a community-based environmental group, said in a statement to CTV News it continues to be concerned about fecal contamination at Parlee Beach.

It is particularly concerned about a high bacteria count recorded on Monday.

“This last spike is alarming; it is so high. We have not ever seen a count that is this high in all the years we have been monitoring the problem,” reads the statement.

Red Dot member Bill Ross said he’s been tracking the water quality testing for the past few years.

“And it’s relatively the same,” said Ross.

The province installed a new stormwater quality improvement system near the main parking lot at the entrance to the park in 2024 and Ross said the government has engaged in other initiatives to help increase the water quality at the beach.

“Nothing has really changed since we started tracking it to suggest all of those projects they did had a positive impact because the numbers don’t change,” said Ross.

Calls for same-day water testing

Red Dot is asking the province to use a same-day water-testing and reporting system.

Currently, samples are taken in mid-to-late morning by members of the Shediac Bay Watershed and then sent to a lab in Moncton.

The results of the samples are reported to the Department of Health, who then decides if a no-swim advisory is needed.

The whole process takes around 24 hours.

“Here we are finding out the day after that we shouldn’t have been in the water the day before,” reads Red Dot’s statement.

Lisa and Dale Cove came from the Port Dover area of Ontario for the annual Shediac Lobster Festival.

“You know what, we expect to see a beautiful beach. It is a little disappointing that we can’t swim, but we’re really happy the water is being tested for different things like E. coli to make sure it’s safe for our daughter to swim,” said Lisa.

Dale works in the water-testing system himself and knows these things happen.

“Sure, I’m disappointed a little bit, but I understand,” said Dale.

CTV News reached out to the Department of Health for comment on the ongoing water issues at Parlee Beach, but did not hear back.

New Brunswick also issued a swimming advisory at Mactaquac Provincial Park, where the water tested positive for E. coli.

Algae blooms

The province is also reporting cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms at several lakes. Cyanobacteria, which is a natural part of the environment, can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals.

The most recent algae blooms include:

• Carters Brook (latest bloom on June 27)
• Darlings Lake (latest bloom on June 24
• Irishtown Nature Park (latest bloom on June 24)
• Kennebecasis River (latest bloom on July 7)
• Kouchibouguacis River (latest bloom on June 30)
• Lake Herkert (latest bloom on June 27)
• Wards Creek (latest bloom on May 15)
• Yoho Lake (latest bloom on July 3)

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.