Headed to the beach for a swim? Here's what you should know before you go

When you think of beach cities, Toronto may not be the first to come to mind.

Sure, we're on the lake, and yes, we have the Beaches, but on a hot day, many would turn their nose up at idea of taking a dip in the lake.

But Toronto's beaches are some of the cleanest swimming areas in the world, according to Gregary Ford, vice-president of Swim Drink Fish Canada. The non-profit organization runs Canada's Blue Flag program, an international eco-certification awarded to beaches and marinas.

"There's a stigma from the past that persists today about Lake Ontario. But we have clean, beautiful, amazing locations that people can cool off," he told CBC Toronto. "They are something that we're really fortunate to have here in Ontario."

So if you're debating taking a swim in the lake this year or planning a beach day, here's what experts say you should consider before jumping into the water. 

Checking water quality data before you get into the water is the first and most important thing you should do, says Ford. "Water quality changes just like the weather does. It changes very quickly," he said. The status of Toronto's major beaches is posted on the city's website daily and includes details about when samples were last collected and how much E. coli was traced. 

There's usually some level of bacteria in the water but that shouldn't be an automatic red flag, says Mitch Bechtel. An open water swimmer, Bechtel developed Open Water Data, a website that shows detailed information about different swimming locations. 

"There's always some amount of bacteria. It's not a fresh-filtered water source. And it's OK that there's some bacteria in our bodies," he said.

"What's interesting is that different regions have different thresholds that they consider safe or not… Ontario specifically is actually very strict, so when they say something is [has] passed, that's typically passed anywhere else in the world."

Aside from checking for test results, best practice is to stay ashore after rainfall for 24 to 48 hours to avoid any wastewater runoff, Ford says. 

Additionally, if you see any birds or animals in water, stay clear of them, Bechtel said, because they "might be doing their thing in the water."

Information on water quality tests can also be found on apps such as Swim, Drink, Fish's Swim Guide or in-person, lakeside, based on the flag on the lifeguard post..

This year, seven Toronto beaches received a Blue Flag designation. The international award is doled out worldwide to locations that demonstrate exceptional water quality and environmental management.

The blue flag can be seen on world-class shores in Italy, Brazil and beyond.