Montreal Public Health has restricted swimming at the beach in Promenade-Bellerive Park in the city’s east end because of contamination.
The agency released a report that says that the soil at the east-end beach is contaminated with lead and benzene and that sewers could potentially be contaminating the water.
The report also recommends that measures are implemented with the goal of reducing health risks before allowing people to swim there.
Despite health concerns, many residents in the area continue to swim there.
The city of Montreal has long promised a beach in the east end. Original plans had a beach opening there in 2022.
The city initially planned to allow people to swim in Promenade-Bellerive Park this summer, but public health concerns are now delaying that project.
It also plans to install more signs explaining that the water is contaminated and removing any beach furniture as an additional measure.