Testing has shown that levels of Escherichia coli were within recreational water quality guidelines at most beaches monitored this week by Manitoba Water Stewardship.
Escherichia coli counts were above the guideline at Gimli Beach on July 9, but quickly returned to within guideline by July 10. Escherichia coli counts were also above the guideline at West Grand Beach on July 10, but fell below the guideline by July 13. Exceedance of the guideline of 200 E. coli/100 mL was likely caused by the weather conditions that caused winds and waves to wash bacteria out of the sand and into the bathing water.
On Lake Winnipeg, weather and lake level information appear to be good predictors of E. coli levels. Bacteria counts tend to increase when strong northerly winds cause water levels to temporarily increase and large waves wash bacteria out of beach sand. When calmer weather returns, E. coli bacteria levels typically fall quickly to below guideline levels.
No algal blooms were reported this week from Manitoba beaches. Algae blooms often appear in Manitoba lakes during July and can last until mid-September. Since algae blooms can reoccur during period of warm and calm weather, bathers are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algae blooms are visible.
Results for all beaches across Manitoba are posted as they become available on Water Stewardship’s website.
Each summer, Manitoba Water Stewardship routinely monitors about 60 beaches in Manitoba.
