Have fun at the beaches and play safe by following water safety guidelines. For additional information please visit the City of Ottawa’s Safety and supervisory standards in City pools and beaches.
A few new safety features are coming to City beaches this summer. Look for new signs about emergency phones, first aid, and water safety. Read more below about the new beach flag system and life jackets you can borrow.
Water testing
Ottawa Public Health conducts weekly water quality testing. Learn more about water quality and risks at ottawapublichealth.ca/beaches.
Lifejacket loaner program
Lifejackets are now available to borrow during supervised beach hours, from noon to 7 pm, in child, youth, and adult sizes.
Beach flag system
To improve swimmer safety and communication, the City of Ottawa is introducing a new beach flag system in 2025.
- Red over yellow: Lifeguards are present; designated swim zone.
- Green flag: Lifeguards are actively supervising.
- Red flag: Lifeguards not on duty (replaces “no-swim advisory”).
Rescue equipment
All beaches have self-rescue equipment, including ring buoys, throw ropes, and reaching poles (available May through October).
Britannia Beach safety and infrastructure updates
Several changes have been made to address the river bottom variations and sandbars in proximity to the Britannia Beach swimming area.
Major changes to swim area layout:
- New buoy lines set 300 mm from dredged zones.
- Sloped riverbed areas are marked with a lane rope.
