Water quality advisories issued for two Greater Victoria beaches as temperatures soar

Two popular Greater Victoria beaches have been placed under water quality advisories as hot and sunny weather continues across southern Vancouver Island.

Island Health has issued advisories for Glen View Beach at Glen Lake in Langford and Stelly’s Cross Road Beach on the Saanich Inlet in Brentwood Bay due to elevated bacteria levels in the water.

The timing could not be much worse for swimmers, with Greater Victoria in the middle of one of its warmest stretches of weather so far this year. Environment Canada is forecasting sunshine and daytime highs ranging from 21°C to 26°C throughout the week.

Island Health advises against recreational water activities, including swimming, while the advisories remain in effect.

The advisory for Glen View Beach was issued Monday after water testing detected significantly elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.

According to Island Health sampling results, a water sample collected on June 3rd recorded 77 E. coli per 100 millilitres of water. A follow-up sample collected on June 10 recorded 827 E. coli per 100 millilitres, more than ten times higher.

E. coli is used as an indicator of fecal contamination in freshwater environments and may signal the presence of organisms that can cause illness.

Meanwhile, an advisory remains in effect at Stelly’s Cross Road Beach in Brentwood Bay after testing found elevated levels of Enterococci bacteria.

Island Health records show a sample collected on June 8th detected 130 Enterococci per 100 millilitres of water. A previous sample collected on May 26th recorded fewer than five Enterococci per 100 millilitres.

Enterococci are commonly used as indicators of fecal contamination in marine and saltwater environments.

According to Island Health, beach advisories may be issued when bacterial levels exceed provincial guidelines, when blue-green algae blooms are present or when other potential health hazards are identified.

While beaches are not technically closed to the public during an advisory, health officials strongly recommend avoiding contact with the water until follow-up testing confirms conditions have improved.

The two beaches join several others currently listed under advisories across the region, including Esquimalt Gorge Park Kinsmen Beach, Ross Bay Beach, Beaver Lake, Glen Lake South and Art Mann Park.

Residents can still visit affected beaches for activities such as walking, picnicking and enjoying the shoreline, but Island Health recommends staying out of the water until the advisories are lifted.