The medical officer of health for Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority, in conjunction with Manitoba Sustainable Development, are advising the public to avoid entering the water at Gimli Beach, Loni Beach and South Beach until beach water samples confirm no evidence of surface water contamination.
The beaches were sampled for E. coli on July 25 and all three beaches will be monitored daily until the situation is resolved.
Construction activities in the town of Gimli on July 24 resulted in damage to the municipal waste-water treatment system and the release of untreated waste water into the town’s storm drains with possible outflow into the Gimli Beach area.
This event does not affect other beaches in the Lake Winnipeg South Basin. The waste-water treatment system has been repaired and no further release is expected.
There is no impact on the town’s public water system.
Members of the public who are concerned they may have signs or symptoms of waterborne illness, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, should be advised to seek medical attention.
For more information on recreational water quality including advisory signs and monitoring results, go to www.manitoba.ca/beaches.
