Murray Beach worse than Parlee, health minister says

Testing at Murray Beach Provincial Park this past summer revealed the water remained open to swimming on at least 26 days when it should have been closed under federal guidelines, and no signs were posted to let swimmers know.

Health Minister Victor Boudreau talked about the Murray Beach testing during an interview on Information Morning Moncton, saying there may be a broader issue along the Northumberland Strait.

"There are some days in the summer where Murray Beach, the results are worse than Parlee Beach," Boudreau said. "So what does that tell us?''  

• Water monitoring at Parlee Beach failed to meet Canadian guidelines

On June 15, fecal streptococci levels of 218/100 ml of water and 104/100 ml of water were detected at the west and east ends of Murray Beach.

Canadian guidelines dictate a beach should be closed to swimmers if the fecal bacteria levels reach a value above 70/100 ml of water in a single sample, until the next test shows values within acceptable limits. A value above 35/100 ml would warrant a closure if it is the average of at least five samples taken at various locations in the water.

The water at Murray Beach was not tested again until June 20 when it showed levels of fecal bacteria within acceptable limits.

Then on July 26, fecal streptococci levels of 192/100 and 104/100 ml were found, again exceeding federal norms for safe swimming.

Fecal bacteria remained above recommended levels during the next two testings, on Aug. 3 and Aug. 16.

Two tourism beaches

While water testing in the rest of New Brunswick beaches falls under the jurisdiction of the Health Department, CBC News recently learned water quality at Parlee and Murray beaches is monitored by the Tourism Department.

• 2 major beaches have a mystery pollution problem, Mount Allison professor says

It's the result of a decision by a 1998 working group, after the issue of poor water quality was first brought to government. A made-in-New-Brunswick water-monitoring index was created, and responsibilities transferred from Health to Tourism for the two beaches.

The system only requires a beach to be closed to swimming in the case of an industrial or chemical spill, or a widespread communicable disease outbreak.

Boudreau and the acting chief medical officer of health both said recently they did not know the reason why this system came to be.

Boudreau says development not at issue

Boudreau's comments came after he was asked whether he was the right person to make decisions on water quality, given his stake in a proposed mega-campground in Shediac.

The minister said water quality was a separate issue from development.

• Victor Boudreau has no place in Parlee Beach issue, David Coon says

• Parlee's pollution problem: 'Politicians are getting in the way'

"These issues [development] are not in Murray Beach, so it tells me there's a broader problem," said Boudreau.

"If Murray Beach is seeing results just as worrisome or more so than Parlee, that means the issue isn't just the Shediac area."

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the acting chief medical officer of health, said she recognized the current water-quality rating system was not perfect, which was why a working group was appointed to look at the issue.