Published Aug 14, 2026Last updated 3 hours ago1 minute readA surfer is shown near Rainbow Haven Beach in Cow Bay in 2024. The beach and Lawrencetown beach have been closed because of high bacteria levels. TIM KROCHAK PHOTO Photo by Tim Krochak /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentRainbow Haven and Lawrencetown beaches in Halifax Regional Municipality have been essentially closed to swimming because of high bacteria levels.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe provincial lifeguard service says swimming is not recommended until further notice after routine testing found the elevated levels.Article contentArticle contentSwimming in the water may cause illness, and lifeguards will be present and recommending people don’t go in the water.Article contentArticle contentFollowup samples have been collected but results will not be available until next week.Article contentAll supervised beaches are tested by the lifeguard service, and saltwater beaches are tested for enterococci. The test results at Lawrencetown and Rainbow Haven exceed the Canadian recreational water quality guidelines.Article contentAccording to Wikipedia, two species are common organisms in the intestines of humans. They can cause urinary tract infections, meningitis and other infections.Article contentBeach advisories are issued to try to prevent potential risks associated with exposure to water with elevated bacteria or parasite levels.Article contentFurther information on recreational water quality monitoring is available here.Article content
High bacteria levels close two Halifax beaches to swimming
