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.
E. coli counts were above the guideline at Gimli, Hnausa and Spruce Sands beaches on July 16 but quickly returned to within the guideline by July 18. Exceedances of the guideline of 200 E. coli/100 ml were likely caused by the weather conditions that caused winds and waves to wash bacteria out of the sand and into the bathing water.
This week, algae blooms were reported on Lake Winnipeg at West Grand Beach, the lagoon at West Grand Beach, Grindstone Park Beach and Victoria Beach (Red Cross Dock).
The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on July 19 at West Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline.
However, the number of blue-green algae cells and the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline at the lagoon at West Grand Beach, Grindstone Park Beach and Victoria Beach (Red Cross Dock).
Algae blooms were also observed on Pelican Lake. The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on July 16 at Pelican Lake at Pleasant Valley and Ninette. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline at both beaches.
Algae advisory signs are posted at Pelican Lake (Pleasant Valley and Ninette) and on Lake Winnipeg at Hillside Beach, West Grand Beach and at the lagoon at West Grand Beach.
Information on results of beach water quality testing, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
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.
