Swimming or Boating?

Swimming

Water pollution can threaten human health when pollutants enter the body via skin exposure or through the consumption of contaminated food or drinking water. People can contract diseases such as diarrhoeal illness, sore throats, fever, respiratory illness, hepatitis, giardia and salmonellosis from swimming in or drinking water that has been polluted with fecal coliforms and other contaminants. Water-based activities such as swimming should be limited or prohibited when contaminate levels are high.

• Avoid swimming after large rainfall events since fecal coliform counts tend to be higher at this time increasing your risk

Boating

Boating may contribute to water contamination. There are many sources of water pollution, but boating contributes when people empty their bilges directly into the water or pump sewage overboard. These activities are unsafe and could lead to serious health issues for other water users. Always ensure safe boating practices to reduce the negatives impacts of water pollution.

• Prevent Spills. Avoid overfueling. Oil and fuel spills are toxic to fish and other marine life.
• Check fuel and hydraulic lines regularly and keep engines well maintained.
• Recycle used oil and oil filters. Oil spilled from one small engine (4-6 quarts) can produce an 8 acre slick.
• Use oil absorbent materials to clean up spills. Avoid the use of detergents they are toxic to fish and other marine life.
• Do not pump oily bilge water overboard. Bilge must be pumped into a closed container and properly disposed of. Ask your local marina for advice.
• Secure an oil absorbent pad in your bilge and check it regularly.
•  Install a drip tray under your engine to catch any leaks.
• Never pump-out sewage especially at the docks, in anchorages or near sensitive areas such as shellfish beds. Always use pump-out services at your local marina.