Just in time for the BC Day long weekend, Langford Lake has been given the all clear by Island Health for swimming and other recreational activity.
Earlier this week, Langford Lake at Leigh Road was one of many current beach advisories listed by Island Health and the Capital Regional District.
These advisories are issued to warn people when a body of water is unfit for swimming due to contamination.
In Langford Lake’s case, last week’s water sampling determined the water was contaminated with E.coli.
On Monday, July 21st, a sample was taken from Langford Lake at Leigh Road which found a level of 423 E. coli, per 100 millilitre sample.
Island Health typically issues a beach advisory when levels exceed 400 E. coli, per 100 millilitre sample.
The water was retested twice over the next week, once on July 28th and again on July 29th. Both tests revealed a low level of only five E. coli, per 100 millilitre sample.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), E. coli bacteria exists both in the environment and in the human gut.
Most E. coli bacteria are harmless or cause mild cramping and diarrhea in infected people. However, some strains of E.coli bacteria can release more harmful toxins.
The BCCDC says that in some severe cases, diarrhea may become bloody.
The beach advisory at Banfield Park swimming dock in Vic West was also lifted Friday afternoon, making it safe once again for swimmers to enjoy the popular Gorge waterway spot.
Earlier testing in the week from Island Health determined there has been a “sewage discharge” in the area, causing enterococci contamination in the water.
Although Langford Lake and Banfield Park swimming dock have been given the all clear by Island Health for the long weekend, some other beaches didn’t fare so well.
According to BC HealthLink, enterococci are a bacteria that are commonly found in the human gut and feces, and can also be found in other areas like the mouth and skin.
Enterococci are usually harmless, but they can cause infections, particularly in vulnerable individuals.
Developing an enterococcal infection can manifest as sepsis, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and infections of the heart and brain.
The other beaches that have had advisories issued for them are: Prior Lake, Thetis Lake beach, Elk Lake Hamsterly west, Elk Lake Eagles beach, Elk Lake Hamsterly east, Ross Bay beach, Beaver Lake and Art Mann Park.
Some of these advisories were issued due to high enterococci levels and some were issued due to blue-green algae blooms. See the full list of beach advisories and what caused them here.
