Parlee Beach water quality rated as poor

Visitors to the province's most popular beach are being warned to think twice before entering the water.  For the last 10 days a sign has been posted at Parlee Beach warning that water quality is poor.  

The manager of the provincial park beach, Pierre Niles, has refused CBC requests for an interview.

Dr. Cristin Muecke, the province's acting deputy chief medical officer of health, says the water quality rating is based on a variety of factors, such as the presence of bacteria in the water. 

"It can also be influenced by a variety of weather factors, like rainfall, the number of bathers in the water on any given day and even things like the temperature of the water and vegetation like seaweed," she said.

Muecke says park staff take three different samples once a week for testing and send them to an accredited lab for testing.

'Usually it takes about two to three days to come back and based on that, and based on some of the other factors I mentioned, they make a determination about what the rating is going to be for that week."

When the water is rated poor, swimmers are discouraged from putting their heads under water. It is also suggested that the elderly, the very young and those with cuts and breaks in their skin avoid going in the water. 

Peak season

The timing couldn't be worse, with the area busy with tourists due to the Quebec construction holiday and an upcoming concert at the beach this weekend. 

Still, some beachgoers were unconcerned about the poor water quality and chose to swim anyway. 

Dianne Doucet, a visitor from Montreal, says the water quality hasn't stopped her and her family from heading for the water. 

"We rented a cottage for two weeks so, when the sun's out, we try to take part of the beach," she said.

Others decided they didn't want to risk it.

Katherine Wilsonholme of La Tuque, Quebec, said she's disappointed because she and her family are only visiting New Brunswick for a few days.

"We're not swimming. We're just walking today," she said.

"A lady explained to us yesterday that the kids could get an infection, and I have a cold, and they said that was very bad for me, to get in the water over my hips."