Testing has shown that levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were within the recreational water quality guideline at most beaches monitored this week by Manitoba Water Stewardship.
Escherichia coli counts were above the guideline at Gimli beach on July 16, 19 and 20 but returned to within the guideline by July 21. Escherichia coli counts were also above the guideline at West Grand Beach on July 16 and 19 but counts fell below the guideline by July 20. Levels of E. coli were briefly above the guideline at Winnipeg Beach on July 19 but quickly returned to below the guideline by July 21.
Exceedance of the guideline of 200 E. coli/100 ml at several beaches on Lake Winnipeg over the past week was likely caused by local weather conditions that caused increases in water levels allowing winds and waves to wash bacteria out of the sand and into the bathing water.
The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline at Killarney Lake beach on July 20 but the concentration of the algae toxin microcystin-LR was below the recreational water quality guideline.
Algae blooms can appear in Manitoba lakes during July and can occur periodically until mid September. Warm and calm weather coupled with relatively high nutrient loads provide ideal conditions for blue-green algae to develop. 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 Manitoba Water Stewardship’s website.
Visit the Manitoba beaches website for information on swimmer and water safety and what you can do to help protect beaches by following the water-smart precautions listed on the website.
