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.
Algal blooms were reported at a number of beaches over this past week.
At Killarney Lake beach and on Pelican Lake (at Ninette and Pleasant Valley beaches), the number of blue-green algae cells and the concentration of the algal toxin microcystin were above the recreational water quality guideline. A toxic algae advisory has been posted at all three beaches to let swimmers know that cyanobacteria toxins have been observed and that drinking, swimming or other contact with the water is not recommended. All three beaches are being re-sampled today and results will be available over the weekend. Up-to-date information on advisory signs posted at beaches is available online and will be posted as soon as additional sample results are available.
At Hillside Beach on Lake Winnipeg, the number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline on Aug. 7. The concentration of the algal toxin microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline.
Algae blooms were also reported at Big Whiteshell Lake and on the Lee River but the number of blue green algal cells and the concentration of the microcystin was below the recreational water quality guideline.
Algal blooms were also reported at West Grand Beach and at Hillside Beach on Lake Winnipeg, and at Sandy Lake beach. Water samples were collected today and results will be available over the weekend.
Toxic algae advisory signs are posted on Pelican Lake (at Ninette and at Pleasant Valley) and at Killarney Lake beach. Drinking, swimming or other contact with the water is not recommended.
Algae advisory signs are posted on Lake Winnipeg at Hillside, Victoria (Red Cross Dock) and West Grand beaches and at the lagoon at West Grand Beach.
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.
Information on results of beach water quality testing, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
