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.
An algal bloom was observed and sampled this past week at the Killarney Lake beach. The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline for cyanobacteria cell count. The concentration of algal toxin, microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline. Algae advisory signs are posted at the Killarney Lake beach. People are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algal blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline where algal blooms are present.
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 provide ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop.
Information on beach water quality results, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available at www.manitoba.ca/beaches.
