Swimmable Harbour

[Dmajackson]

In the Herald today:

A dip at the Dingle ‘Grand reopening’ set for Halifax Harbour beaches
By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Wed. Jul 9 - 8:13 PM

Memories of tampon applicators littering the beach will likely keep Rhonda Stedman out of Halifax Harbour.

“The things that I have seen in my lifetime, it’ll be a long time before I swim there,” Ms. Stedman said Wednesday as she enjoyed a picnic lunch by the Dingle tower in Halifax.

Tests show that waters at the Sir Sandford Fleming Park beach near the Dingle and at Point Pleasant Park’s Black Rock Beach are safe for swimming. The city is officially opening the beaches to the public and has hired lifeguards, who will begin work next month.
Unsafe fecal coliform levels have kept those beaches closed for years.

The beach openings were announced earlier this week at a municipal council meeting, and the municipality’s $333-million sewage treatment project is getting the credit.

“Actually, the water quality has been there for a while,” said Brad Anguish, director of Harbour Solutions, which runs the system.

His group has conducted extensive testing to check the water as well as the Harbour Solutions infrastructure in the areas of the two beaches to make sure all is safe.

City staffers have also checked the sand, and divers have cleared any debris that may have accumulated near the beaches.

“It’s more of a grand reopening,” said HRM’s aquatics specialist Shelley Haynes. “Those are beaches that historically we’ve manned.”

Lifeguards will be at those beaches from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day from Aug. 2 to Aug. 29.

While efforts have been concentrated in the area of the Dingle and Point Pleasant parks beaches, there are likely other clean swimming areas in the harbour, Mr. Anguish said.

But his group has not checked out every historical or potential swimming hole along the shores of Halifax Harbour.

And water along the Dartmouth shoreline is likely not swimmable, Mr. Anguish said. However, that’s likely to change soon, too.

The Dartmouth treatment plant is set to begin operating Thursday. It will likely be a few weeks before all sewage from the Dartmouth side of the harbour is being diverted to the plant, he said.

Mr. Anguish is unaware of any beaches along the Dartmouth side of the harbour that ever had lifeguard service. However, when the water along those shores tests clear, council will be notified, he said.

The treatment plant serving the Herring Cove area is scheduled to begin operation next summer.

While it appears that some folk like Ms. Stedman have long memories of bad water, the professional nanny readily admits that the water is getting cleaner.

“I was on the ferry yesterday, and the water is a lot clearer.”

For others, Halifax’s Harbour was never that bad.

“I’ve been swimming in dirtier water growing up on the Danube in Croatia,” said Dejan Sokolovic.

Mr. Sokolovic and his 10-year-old daughter, Nora, and eight-year-old son, Arne, were casting their lines off a small floating dock at the Dingle on Monday.

Although the water in the area has tested clean, an old warning sign still posted at the entrance to the dock warns the public of possible bacterial contamination and says swimming is not recommended.

But that doesn’t scare Mr. Sokolovic.

“If it had been clear, we would have brought our bathing suits,” he said, looking up at the hazy sky.

“But it’s nice to know officially that you can let your kids in the water,” he said.

When asked if his family would eat their day’s catch, Mr. Sokolovic laughed.

“Sure, why not? But we’re not going to catch anything.”

It's nice to know that Harbous Solutions is doing its job. Even here in Bedford I've noticed a big change in the cleanliness of the water lately.

[hfx_chris]

I still think it's going to be awhile before I feel comfortable swimming in the harbour...

[Wishblade]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

I still think it's going to be awhile before I feel comfortable swimming in the harbour...

I concur lol.

[spaustin]

Yep and you guys are definitely not the first people I have heard say as much. The harbour may be safe now (on the Halifax side and in the Arm at least) but it'll take a while before people's perceptions change. After all, we can all remember tampoons, condoms and other disgusting things washing around in there. I expect to see a lot of people wading this summer, but by next summer, after people have had a year to get use to the idea and the Dartmouth plant is fully operating, it'll be a different story.... That is unless the heat drives us to it

[Jonovision]

I would probably wade into it. And maybe swim at the Dingle. It's amazing the change though. I walk the waterfront on both side all the time. And the change on the Halifax side has been amazing. Not only is the water clear, but life is starting to come back. I saw a crab the other day! lol I also have noticed the return of some sea birds. While I was waiting for the ferry in Dartmouth today, I was watching a Swallow dive along the shore. I can't remember ever seeing Swallows around the harbour. Now I just hope that new developments on the harbour allow for true access to the water. I know Kings Wharf has a beach proposed.

[Takeo]

Originally Posted by Jonovision

I would probably wade into it. And maybe swim at the Dingle. It's amazing the change though. I walk the waterfront on both side all the time. And the change on the Halifax side has been amazing. Not only is the water clear, but life is starting to come back. I saw a crab the other day! lol I also have noticed the return of some sea birds. While I was waiting for the ferry in Dartmouth today, I was watching a Swallow dive along the shore. I can't remember ever seeing Swallows around the harbour. Now I just hope that new developments on the harbour allow for true access to the water. I know Kings Wharf has a beach proposed.

Wow. That all sounds pretty encouraging. I work near the waterfront... I should walk home that way some day. Regardless... I won't be the first one in the water LOL

[hfx_chris]

There's something I find interesting about the Dartmouth side; there's a sewage outfall about 50-feet away from the shore next to the ferry terminal, and there was always, always loads of seagulls hanging out right in that area. It's been turned off for almost the last year (dunno where the sewage was diverted to since the Dartmouth plant wasn't/isn't online a year ago), and no seagulls to be found. The area smells a hell of a lot better, the water seems clearer and there's much fewer seagulls hanging around the Dartmouth waterfront now.

As for swimming, even on the Halifax side, the thought honestly gives me shivers... it's going to take a good while before my perception changes.

[Jonovision]

I was unaware that the sewage outfall was turned off in Dartmouth. It looked like it had been turned on to me. Although, yesterday it didn't seem to be there, and they are saying the plant comes online today. I just hope the smell clears up right around the Tim Hortons on Portland. That tiny little stretch has always smelled disgusting.

[Dmajackson]

So apparently Kelly's okay with swimming in the Harbour but Fougere isn't:

Kelly vows to take harbour dip; Fougere declines

By AMY PUGSLEY FRASER City Hall Reporter
Fri. Aug 1 - 5:47 AM

It seems Mayor Peter Kelly’s words do hold water.

After a four-year cleanup project, the mayor says Halifax Harbour is so safe he’ll dive in this weekend to prove it.

And he’s not even above making a few jokes about it.

Mr. Kelly took a test run at Black Rock Beach in Point Pleasant Park on Thursday morning so he’ll know what to expect come Saturday.

"It tastes like salt water," he said, chuckling.

"It’s refreshing and clear, and not too cold at all."

Thursday marked the first time Mr. Kelly had been in the waters of the harbour for decades.

"When we were kids, we went swimming all the time," the 51-year-old said, recalling his days dipping into the Bedford Basin to earn his badges for the Canadian Red Cross swimming program.

"I wasn’t the competitive swimming type or the lifeguard type, but I did manage to learn the basics."

But the beach culture around Halifax Harbour didn’t last too long after that.

High levels of E. coli shut down popular watering holes like the Dingle and kept swimmers far away from the shorelines of the Bedford Basin.

But experiencing harbour swimming once again has allowed the mayor to recapture part of his youth.

"Those of us who used to swim in the harbour can now do so again, and this time we can take our children and grandchildren," Mr. Kelly said. "It’s a great feeling of accomplishment."

He credits the public for compelling municipal politicians to "stop the talk and walk the walk" to get the harbour clean.

"Over the years, there were giant schemes and schematics and dreams and all kinds of other things that (previous councils) had contemplated, but nothing was being done. So this council heard loud and clear that the public wanted it done."

It’s been a long road since the contract was signed, he said.

But the benefits of the $333-million project, begun almost four years ago, were visible.

"Here we are, almost a year after the Halifax plant started up and the Dartmouth plant just in operation . . . and we certainly don’t see the unspeakable brown floatables anymore," he said.

"Before, each and every day, 200 million litres of raw sewage and waste water flowed into this body of water."

Mr. Kelly said cleaning up Halifax Harbour is at the top of his list of achievements during his eight-year tenure.

"It’s one of the most important things to me," he said as he made his way to the Halifax Regional Police building for a post-swim shower.

"The significance of this is just trend-setting in terms of the things that you couldn’t do before; now you can."

On Saturday, the mayor plans to mark the occasion by swimming at two beach parties on the harbour.

It will also be the first day in years that lifeguards will be back on duty at the two city beaches.

Mr. Kelly plans to be at Black Rock Beach at about 10:45 a.m. and over at the Dingle Beach in Sir Sandford Fleming Park at 11:45 a.m.

And don’t expect the mayor to be sporting a strange bathing costume for the big event.

His only contender for the mayor’s chair in October’s municipal election also plans to be on hand for the harbour’s big unveiling Saturday.

But Coun. Sheila Fougere (Connaught-Quinpool) plans to stay above it all — in a canoe.

"I’m not much of a swimmer, but I used to paddle at Mic Mac Aquatic Club," she said.

She’ll canoe from one party to another Saturday morning.

"I think it will be great. It’s certainly another one of the recreational activities that we want to encourage people to participate it on the (Northwest) Arm and in the harbour."

She’d also like to do the mile-long race over the Macdonald bridge on Sunday.

"I tore a ligament in my knee playing soccer last year, but I think I can easily run a mile," says the perennial Bluenose Marathon participant. "It might not be pretty, but I can do it!"

( apugsley@herald.ca)

There is a vote on the Herald's website and so far people want Kelly to swim butt-naked or at least with a speedo on.

McKinnon's Editoral today:

[terrynorthend]

funny cartoon..even funnier if instead of "Maytag Repair Man", the crest read, "Halifax Police Lockup"..

[Dmajackson]

Swimmers back in Halifax Harbour

By DAVID JACKSON Staff Reporter
Sat. Aug 2 - 3:04 PM

On many a hot summer day, Paul Jocys thought longingly about cooling off in Halifax Harbour as he strolled through Point Pleasant Park in south-end Halifax.

Years of dumping raw sewage in the harbour, leaving a disgusting assortment of debris and dangerous bacteria levels had prevented that until this summer.

But today, Mr. Jocys was one of a few dozen citizens, city workers, and politicians at the park's Black Rock Beach to mark the official opening of the area to swimmers.

"When you're in, it feels quite warm," Mr. Jocys, 34, said just after his inaugural dip.

He said he has no reservations about getting in the water, cleared for swimming because of the $333-million Harbour Solutions Project.

"I enjoyed it, I can't wait to do it again," he said.

A steady, fine drizzle dampened the turnout at beach parties at Black Rock Beach and at the Dingle at Sir Sandford Fleming Park to mark their official openings for public swimming.

Mayor Peter Kelly said it was simply "liquid sunshine" as he welcomed the crowd to the opening at Black Rock Beach, where he, Northwest Arm-South End Coun. Sue Uteck, and others cut a red ribbon in the water.

Mr. Kelly thanked residents, who've paid extra on their water bills and put up with construction inconveniences, for supporting the harbour cleanup project.

"We owe them a great big thank-you," he said.

"It was them that actually said stop the talk, walk the walk, get it done. It's been talked about for 40 years."

Mr. Kelly said the water had been tested every day this week, and will be tested at least weekly the rest of the summer.

Source: The Chronicle Herald

[Keith P.]

Mayor Doofus never misses a photo-op...

[someone123]

Looks like he went in at that black sand beach by Halterm. I hope they were on the look out for syringes as they walked around.

[fenwick16]

I am not sure if there is another thread for Harbour Solutions, so I will post this CBC story link in this thread.

There was an interesting story on the CBC News online website:

(source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story...x-harbour.html )

Halifax harbour: From sewer to fishermen's friend
CBC News
Posted: Jul 19, 2011 7:56 AM ET
Last Updated: Jul 19, 2011 10:09 AM ET

Once known as an open sewer, Halifax harbour is now providing some intrepid fishermen with their meals.

Fishing poles are becoming a common sight along the waterfront.
.
.
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[Jonovision]

I've noticed quite an increase in fishing myself. I walk along the waterfront all the time and it's now very easy to see fish if you look into the water. Saw a huge school probably over 100 strong of some sort of fish about 8" long the other day.

[burtj]

I'm not sure that is even a nice idea. Harbours by their very nature are functional and dirty. Not for me thanks

[worldlyhaligonian]

Its definitely improving... when I was a child it was an absolute shithole. Now, I might even consider jumping in around certain areas.

Definitely alot better for sailing... I remember being on the Arm one summer and my legs broke out in pimples from exposure to the water due to sailing my Laser.

I just hate when all these non-harbour going folks talk about it. Give me a break Mayor Kelly, I practically lived in that shit during the summers growing up!