High bacteria levels prompt swimming advisory at two Vancouver beaches

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – You may want to rethink swimming at two beaches in Vancouver.

According to Vancouver Coastal Health, high levels of bacteria have been found in the waters at Sunset Beach and Kitsilano Beach — including Kitsilano Point.

It has issued a swimming advisory for both of these areas, and is warning people against swimming at either of these spots citing E. coli as a concern.

“Typically, safe levels for swimming are, it’s a count of 200 E. coli per 100 mL of water,” explains Vice President of Communications Laurie Dawkins with Vancouver Coastal Health. “What we’re seeing right now, the levels have been going up and down quite a bit. It’s normal this time of year when you add in the heat and a lot of activity in the water, but what we’re seeing now are levels varying between 500 and even as high as 15,000.”

High levels of E. coli bacteria in the water increase risk of gastro-intestinal illness to swimmers.

The health authority is continuously monitoring the water quality. It says the advisory will be removed once levels have decreased.

Beach water quality is tested once a week — on Fridays — throughout the swimming season. This is to ensure water quality meets the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines.

With many expected to spend the day at the beach ahead of the Celebration of Light, Dawkins says people don’t need to change their plans and not come down.

“This is an advisory against being in the water, against swimming and wading,  to help them know what’s safe to do.”

She adds staff and representatives are on site to help tell people what’s going on, and there are also signs posted.

“In some cases using some yellow tape to alert them, ‘hey, don’t go any further than this.’ But they can be on the beach.”

If you do choose to swim anyway, Dawkins says you should shower — preferably with soap and water — once you get out of the water and make sure you wash your swimsuits and towels.