Alberta Health Services warns that the Elbow River contains fecal matter

There’s a reason you don’t see anyone swimming in the Elbow River.

According to a release from Alberta Health Services, the Elbow River continues to contain “elevated levels of fecal coliforms,” as it has since the first warning went out in 2016.

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A reminder was sent out late last month, warning residents to avoid using the river for recreational activities, or at the least avoiding face/mouth contact with the water.

It is also recommended to wash your hands after being around the water, as it contains water-borne organisms that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

The warning encompasses the area of the Elbow River between Sandy Beach and 9th Avenue SE, and was initially put into place on July 8, 2016. Alberta Health Services states that it will continue to monitor the level of fecal coliforms in the river, and release alerts around this time each summer to let residents know whether or not the river is safe to swim in.

The release also states that signs have been posted at river access points alerting would-be swimmers of the dangers of wading into the river.

So yeah… We’d recommend bringing that floaty over to the Bow instead this summer.