Posted on 06/29/2013, 9:59 am, by mySteinbach

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 June 25 on Pelican Lake at Ninette beach. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline at all beaches this week. Algae advisory signs have been posted at Ninette beach.

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.