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 Conservation and Water Stewardship.
The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on July 9 at West Grand Beach lagoon and at Hillside Beach on Lake Winnipeg. The number of blue-green algae cells was also above the recreational water quality guideline on July 10 at Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley).
Additional samples were collected at West Grand Beach lagoon and Hillside Beach on July 11. The number of blue-green algae cells remained above the recreational water quality guideline at West Grand Beach lagoon but dropped below the guideline at Hillside Beach.
The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin-LR was below the recreational water quality guideline at West Grand Beach lagoon, at Hillside Beach on Lake Winnipeg and at Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley).
Algae advisory signs have been posted at West Grand Beach Lagoon, Hillside Beach and Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley).
Algae blooms were also reported late this week at the Rock Lake Christian Enrichment Camp and at Killarney Lake Beach. Water samples were collected yesterday.
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.
People are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algae blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline.
Information on results of beach water quality testing, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
