As Canada Day and the weekend approaches, Halton Region is advising residents to check the latest water quality results after recent tests show nearly half of local beaches are unsafe for swimming.

The Region's Health Department monitors beaches in the area and determines if the water is clean and safe for swimming.

The most recent results show almost half of beaches monitored by the Region are not safe for swimming because of high amounts of E. coli bacteria.

A beach report from June 20 advises residents not to swim at Burlington's Brant Street Beach, Oakville's Bronte Beach Park and Acton's Prospect Park Old Beach.

The Region advises that swimming in water with a high bacterial count could result in eye, ear, nose or throat infections, or gastrointestinal or stomach illnesses.

Water quality results can be obtained by dialing 311 or visiting halton.ca/beaches

The Region is also providing tips for keeping Halton's beaches clean and safe for swimming:

• Not feeding animals or birds

• Observing local "stoop and scoop" bylaws and always picking up their pet's waste

• Practicing pollution-free boating by disposing of human waste properly

• Keeping private sewage disposal systems in good working order