Swimming season is here, but many local waterways aren’t ready, according to Island Health.
Several beaches are not recommended for recreational water use, including getting in the water, for both humans and pets.
“While public beaches are not technically ‘closed’ to public access, it is highly recommended to not enter the water while an advisory is in place,” Island Health advises.
Willows Beach in Oak Bay is the latest under a water advisory. Island Health testing done June 18 at the foot of Estevan Road showed unsatisfactory enterococci bacteria levels.
Sayward Beach in Cordova Bay joined the litany of waters deemed unsafe for dipping after June 16 testing showed unsatisfactory levels of the same bacteria.
Blue-green algae continues to plague Saanich lakes, with Elk and Beaver Lake Park beaches under advisory since last fall. The conjoined bodies of water are frequently the subject of water quality alerts due to the algae that can produce cyanotoxins. The algae also appeared at nearby Prior Lake, which was noted on June 13.
Longer-standing advisories include Esquimalt Gorge Park Kinsmen Beach (Aug. 1, 2024) and Ross Bay Beach (June 28, 2024) under advisory for unsatisfactory bacteria results.
Island Health does beach sampling mid-May through the Labour Day weekend and recommends advisories when testing shows over 1000 E. coli or 175 Enterococci per sample, as studies indicate there is an elevated risk associated with these bacterial levels, according to the authority.
Beach advisories are also be considered when the average of the past several sample results exceed 200 E. coli or 35 Enterococci; a single sample result exceeds 400 E. coli or 70 Enterococci per sample; a visible blue-green algae bloom is present; or other public health hazards are identified.
