News

Durham Region posts first 2026 beach water test results, with weekly updates through Labour Day

Durham Region Health Department posted the first 2026 beach water test results June 4 on its Check&Go! Durham portal and plans to update results weekly through Labour Day for 15 inspected public beaches.

Residents can check current beach water-quality results online before visiting local beaches, including whether a beach has been posted as unsafe for swimming.

According to Durham Region, the health department conducts bacteriological water tests throughout the summer at 15 public beaches in Durham Region. Water samples are tested by the Public Health Ontario Laboratory in Peterborough.

The health department posts beaches as unsafe for swimming when E. coli levels exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 mL of water.

The health department advises people not to swim for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, saying bacteria levels can increase due to run-off.

Beach reports are available at durham.ca/BeachResults.

Lane restrictions planned on Stellar Drive in Whitby June 15 to July 15

Lane restrictions are planned on Stellar Drive (Regional Road 25) in Whitby from June 15 to July 15, between about 850 metres and one kilometre west of Thornton Road South (Regional Road 52), to install water services and build new entrances for a development, according to Durham Region. Drivers who

Ontario Works office at Oshawa’s Midtown Mall closed June 4 for nearby watermain work

Durham Region said the Ontario Works office at Midtown Mall in Oshawa (Unit C1A, 200 John St. W.) was closed June 4 due to watermain work in the surrounding area. For clients who need Ontario Works help during the closure, the Region said services and supports can be accessed at

Durham’s Curbside Giveaway Day runs June 13, 2026, with 7 a.m.–7 p.m. curbside drop-off

Durham Region’s Curbside Giveaway Day is set for Saturday, June 13, 2026, running from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with residents across the region, including in Clarington, able to place unwanted items in good condition at the curb as long as they are clearly marked “Free.” The

Oshawa oral health clinic to close at 11 a.m. June 4 because of emergency water shutdown

Durham Region Health Department’s Oral Health Clinic at 200 John St. in Oshawa will close at 11 a.m. today due to an emergency water shutdown, according to Durham Region. The closure means in-person clinic services at that location will not be available for the remainder of the day.

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Lane restrictions planned on Stellar Drive in Whitby June 15 to July 15

Ontario Works office at Oshawa’s Midtown Mall closed June 4 for nearby watermain work

Durham’s Curbside Giveaway Day runs June 13, 2026, with 7 a.m.–7 p.m. curbside drop-off

Oshawa oral health clinic to close at 11 a.m. June 4 because of emergency water shutdown