Lakefront Water at Mississauga Park Deemed Unsafe for Swimming

Recent testing by Peel Public Health on August 14 has found the water in the beach area of Richard’s Memorial Park—located on Lakeshore Road West, just east of Lorne Park Road—unsafe for swimming due to elevated bacteria levels. Warning signs have been posted to alert the public.

This marks the third instance this month that water at Richard’s Memorial Park has tested above acceptable bacterial limits, posing a potential health risk. A red advisory sign has been placed, indicating that swimming could lead to illness.

Regular testing is conducted to monitor bacterial levels in Lake Ontario. Factors such as heavy rainfall, an abundance of waterfowl, strong winds or waves, and high swimmer traffic can all contribute to increased bacteria in the water.

Exposure to contaminated beach water can lead to health issues like diarrhea, skin rashes, earaches, eye irritation, coughing, or nasal congestion.

Although Mississauga’s lakefront parks are not officially designated as beaches, many residents use them for swimming or cooling off—especially during heatwaves like the current one. However, swimming is unsupervised, and individuals enter the water at their own risk.

Other nearby lakefront locations, such as Jack Darling Memorial Park and Lakefront Promenade (A.E. Crookes Park), have been tested and are currently considered safe for swimming:

Jack Darling Memorial Park: 1180 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga (at Lakeshore Road West and Lorne Park Road)

Lakefront Promenade (A.E. Crookes Park): 140 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga (at Lakeshore Road East and Lakefront Promenade)