Water testing this week has shown that levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were within recreational water quality guidelines at all beaches monitored by Manitoba Water Stewardship.
Water samples have not been collected at beaches on Lake Dauphin and Lake Manitoba due to flooding conditions. Testing will resume when these beaches become accessible.
Results for all beaches across Manitoba are posted as they become available on Manitoba Water Stewardship’s website.
E. coli counts have occasionally exceeded the recreational water quality guideline at a few Lake Winnipeg beaches this summer but counts have quickly returned to within acceptable levels within 24 hours.
The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline at Pelican Lake (north and south beaches) this week. The concentration of an algae toxin, microcystin-LR, was also above the recreational water quality guideline at Pelican Lake south (Pleasant Valley). The beach is being re-sampled today and results should be available over the weekend. A toxic algae sign has been posted to let swimmers know that cyanobacteria toxins have been observed at this beach and that drinking, swimming or other contact with the water is not recommended.
Algae blooms were reported at West Grand Beach on Aug. 21. Samples were collected on Aug. 22 and the number of blue-green algae cells was below the recreational water quality guideline.
The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on Aug. 22 at the Victoria Beach Red Cross Dock, on Aug. 23 at Oak Lake Beach and on Aug. 24 at Killarney Lake Beach. The concentration of the algal toxin, microcystin-LR, was below the guideline at each of these beaches.
Information on advisory signs posted at beaches is available online.
Algae blooms are difficult to predict and may form and then disperse quickly, or last for several days or weeks. Warm and calm weather coupled with relatively high nutrient loads provide ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop.
Swimmers are reminded to avoid water where severe algae blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline.
More information on swimmer and water safety is available online.
