Water testing this week has shown that levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were within recreational water quality guidelines at most beaches monitored by Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.
On Lake Winnipeg, E. coli counts were briefly above the guideline at East Grand, West Grand, Spruce Sands, Gimli, Sandy Hook and Winnipeg beaches, but quickly returned below the guideline by Aug. 8.
Elevated levels of bacteria were likely caused by strong north winds and wave action washing bacteria out of the sand and into the bathing area.
Algal blooms are still present at Pelican Lake (Ninette and Pleasant Valley) this week and the number of blue-green algal cells remains above the recreational water quality guideline.
The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was above the guideline at Pelican Lake (Ninette).
Algal toxin advisory signs will remain posted at Ninette and Pleasant Valley on Pelican Lake. Drinking, swimming or other contact with the water is not recommended. Additional samples will be collected next week.
Algal 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 provides ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop.
People are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algal blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline.
Swimmer’s itch advisory signs will remain posted for the summer at Moose Lake Provincial Park, Winnipeg Beach (Lake Winnipeg), Whytewold Beach (Lake Winnipeg) and Gull Lake.
Up to date information on advisory signs posted at beaches and results of beach water quality testing, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
