Island Health lifts beach advisories in Langford, Saanich and Oak Bay

Langford has announced that all recreational beaches are back open as the Langford Lake beach advisory has been lifted. 

Additionally, some other beaches that have had advisories issued for them earlier this summer have been determined safe for swimming once more. 

Specifically, aside from Langford Lake’s advisory being lifted, Eagles Beach, Hamsterly West and Hamsterly East on Elk Lake have been cleared of toxins, along with Willows Beach in Oak Bay. 

These popular swimming and recreational beaches were initially impacted by temporary closures as Island Health and the Capital Regional District (CRD) determined that blue-green algae blooms were present, or the water was contaminated with high enterococci/E. coli bacteria levels. 

These lake/marine water afflictions make it unsafe for people and animals to swim in the water, and can lead to a myriad of symptoms. In the most extreme circumstances, if left untreated, swimming in these waters could potentially lead to death. 

Though these bodies of water and beaches have recently been given the all-clear, there are still a handful of beach advisories in place. 

As of this publication, Island Health and the CRD have determined that swimming spots at Thetis Lake Beach, Prior Lake, Ross Bay Beach, Beaver Lake and Art Mann Park are all currently unsafe for swimmers. 

To see more details on the conditions of these beaches and the current list of beach advisories, click here.