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.
On Lake Winnipeg, E. coli counts were above the guideline at Sandy Hook and Winnipeg Beach on July 9 but quickly returned to below the guideline by July 11. Elevated levels of bacteria were likely caused by wind and wave action washing bacteria out of the sand and into the water.
An algal bloom was observed and sampled this past week at Killarney Lake beach. The number of blue-green algae cells was above the guideline on July 9. The concentration of the algae toxin, microcystin, was below the recreational water quality guideline.
Algae advisory signs are posted at Pelican Lake (Ninette) and Killarney Lake 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.
Swimmer’s itch advisory signs are posted at Moose Lake Provincial Park, Winnipeg Beach (Lake Winnipeg) and Gull Lake.
Information on results of beach water quality testing, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available online.
