Warning issued for high levels of E. coli at West Vancouver beaches
Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning to the public that there is a high level of E. coli bacteria at West Vancouver’s beaches.
Swimming is not recommended at Ambleside, Dundarave and Sandy Cove beaches due to high levels of bacteria that far exceeds the sample limit to the point that a geometric mean cannot be measured.
The Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines recommend a level of less than 200 E. coli bacteria per 100 mL of water for primary contact recreational activities such as swimming.
The recent heat wave and the presence of contaminates in the water likely caused the explosive growth of the bacteria.
E. coli levels have also soared at other water bodies and beaches, including Trail 7 of UBC’s Wreck Beach (106 E. coli per 100 mL), Trout Lake (147 E. coli per 100 mL), and the eastern end of False Creek near Science World (500 E. coli per 100 mL).
Comparatively, readings at the waters of other nearby beaches and areas are much lower: western end of False Creek (66 E. coli per 100 mL), Sunset Beach (70 E. coli per 100 mL), Third Beach (14 E. coli per 100 mL), Second Beach (19 E. coli per 100 mL), Kitsilano Beach (21 E. coli per 100 mL), Jericho Beach (15 E. coli per 100 mL), Locarno Beach (14 E. coli per 100 mL) and Spanish Banks (19 E. coli per 100 mL).
Symptoms of E. coli sickness include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and a low-grade fever.
Featured Image: Burrard Inlet via Shutterstock
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