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 observed and sampled this past week at Hillside Beach (Lake Winnipeg), Oak Lake Beach and Ochre Beach (Dauphin Lake). The number of blue-green algae cells was above the recreational water quality guideline, but the concentration of algal toxin was below the guideline. First-level algae advisory signs were posted this week at Hillside Beach on Lake Winnipeg.
People are reminded to avoid swimming in water where severe algal blooms are visible and to prevent pets from drinking water along the shoreline where algal blooms are present.
Algal 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.
Information on beach water quality results, advisory signs posted at beaches, and swimmer and water safety is available at www.manitoba.ca/beaches.
