So far this summer, several lakes have been deemed unsafe to swim in and Glen Lake is the latest to be added to the list.
Island Health conducts regular testing of all lakes in the area that people frequent for recreational swimming.
Through this testing the island health authority has determined Glen Lake has too high of E. coli content to be safe for swimming.
In the latest test, taken on July 15th, the E. coli content was measured at 950 per 100 millilitres. This is an increase from 105 E. coli per 100 millilitres, taken just one week before.
The sample was taken from the northern section of the lake at the Glen Lake Park dock. The other popular entrance to the body of water is located just off the Galloping Goose at the southernmost point of the lake.
An E. coli infection can lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, mild fever, severe stomach cramps and watery or bloody diarrhea.
According to Health Canada, symptoms may appear within one to 10 days after exposure to E. coli bacteria, but most symptoms end within five to 10 days.
They add that while most people recover completely on their own, some people may have a more serious illness that may require hospital care, may lead to long-lasting health effects or even death.
Just one day before Island Health announced that Glen Lake was unsafe for swimming, Prior Lake in Thetis Lake Regional Park was also announced to be contaminated with blue-green algae blooms.
Being exposed to blue-green algae blooms can lead to skin, eye, nose and throat irritation; stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting; headaches, muscle weakness and fever; as well as severe illnesses that may result in death, such as liver or kidney damage and paralysis of skeletal and respiratory muscles.
Other beaches that have been deemed unsafe are Patricia Bay Beach, Ross Bay Beach, Beaver Lake and Art Mann Park.
Last week, some people in Victoria were nervous of the Gorge Waterway’s Banfield Park dock being unsafe to swim in, but after rigorous testing, it has been deemed safe.
For more on the lakes and beaches that have been deemed unsafe to swim at, click here.
