Just a heads up as the weather starts to get warmer.
Between late May and early June, Island Health issued several water advisories, warning residents of Greater Victoria of unsanitary water.
Specifically, the beaches to avoid are Saanich Inlet off Clark Road in Brentwood Bay, Coles Bay Beach in North Saanich, Ross Bay Beach in Victoria, Esquimalt Gorge Park’s Kinsmen Beach and Langford Lake at Ed Nixon Lane.
All these beaches’ test results say that they contained “unsatisfactory bacteriological water results” and noting in their sampling history either Enterococci or E. Coli was detected.
According to Health Canada, E. Coli is found in fecal content and points to contamination of recreational waters when found in high enough concentrations.
They also note that, like E. coli, Enterococci are used as a primary indicator of fecal contamination.
Island Health monitors and tests all at-risk waters in Greater Victoria between May and September to ensure people who use the recreational beaches can be safe.
