Heavy rain this week has triggered wastewater overflows along several Greater Victoria shorelines, prompting temporary beach closures and warnings from health authorities.
According to the Capital Regional District (CRD), heavy rainfall on December 10th and 11th led to combined stormwater and wastewater discharges in multiple coastal areas.
In Saanich, overflows occurred between Arbutus Cove Lane and Telegraph Bay Road, affecting Arbutus Cove, Finnerty Cove and Telegraph Cove.
Additional discharges happened from Seaview Road in Saanich to Currie Road in Oak Bay, impacting Cadboro Bay and Willows Beach.
Shorelines between Radcliffe Lane in Oak Bay and Cook Street in Victoria were also affected, including Clover Point, Ross Bay, Gonzales Bay and McNeill Bay. Another discharge was reported off Craigflower Road into Portage Inlet.
Residents are being advised to stay out of the water in all of these areas due to potential health risks. Beaches will remain closed until test results show conditions have returned to safe levels, and temporary signage has been posted to alert the public.
Some stretches of shoreline in Oak Bay already carry permanent advisories. Beaches between Ripon Road and Cattle Point have long-standing signs recommending people avoid entering the water for 48 hours after any rainfall.
The CRD notes that wastewater overflows can occur when heavy rain overwhelms parts of the region’s older combined sewer systems, causing diluted wastewater to enter nearby marine environments.
