(UPDATE: Sept. 17 @ 11:05 am) - A swimming advisory that has been in place at Rotary Beach Park in Kelowna since August has now been lifted.
The City of Kelowna says the decision to lift it was made in consultation with Interior Health after regular testing indicated that the beach now meets BC Recreational Water Quality Guidelines.
The swimming advisory for higher than acceptable E. coli counts in the water was originally put in place on Aug. 22.
It was rescinded less than 24 hours later, but put back into effect on Sept. 27.
"Beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of factors including lake currents, plant debris, changing environmental factors, and waterfowl and other animal waste," the City explained in a release.
"It is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather increases bacterial growth and swimmers stir up the lake bottom."
(UPDATE: Aug. 27 @ 9:30 am) - A swimming advisory is back in place for Rotary Beach.
The water at Rotary Beach Park in Kelowna is no closed, the City says, but the public is urged to make an informed choice based on the latest beach water quality readings.
“Most people would be fine, but there is that one per cent who could become ill," noted water quality supervisor Ed Hoppe.
Hoppe is talking about very young children, older adults and people with weakened immunity that are most susceptible to infection related to higher E.coli counts in the water.
This is the second swimming advisory for Rotary Beach in the last week, as one was issued last Thursday but promptly rescinded on Friday.
“Although we saw an improvement in water quality at the end of last week, bacterial counts are back up at Rotary this week and require that we repost the swimming advisory," explained Hoppe.
"We are asking the public not to swim or engage in water-related recreation activities at Rotary Beach until we consistently see better water quality and we are confident that the advisory can be lifted."
(UPDATE: Aug. 23 @ 10 am) - That was short-lived.
The City of Kelowna has lifted the swimming advisory for Rotary Beach less than 24 hours after it was issued.
A release from the City says further testing indicates the beach now meets the BC Recreational Water Quality Guidelines.
"Beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of factors including lake currents, plant debris, changing environmental factors, and waterfowl and other animal waste," the release explained.
"It is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather increases bacterial growth and swimmers stir up the lake bottom."
(Original story: Aug. 22 @ 11:45 am) - There were issues at Rotary Beach in West Kelowna earlier this summer, but now it’s Kelowna’s Rotary Beach that is subject to a swimming advisory.
The notice was issued by the City of Kelowna this morning due to the E.coli levels being above those allowed in the BC Recreational Water Quality Guidelines, which is 400 units per 100-millilitre sample.
Ed Hoppe, Kelowna’s water quality supervisor, says most people would be fine to swim in the water at Rotary Beach, but “there is that 1% who could become ill.
“We’re seeing a greater amount of plant material in that part of Okanagan Lake as well as the presence of ducks and geese, which can result in higher bacterial counts,” explained Hoppe.
“We are asking the public not to swim or engage in water-related recreation activities at Rotary Beach until the beach water quality advisory has been lifted.”
According to the City, it’s very young people, older adults and those with weakened immune systems who are most susceptible to infection related to bacterial counts in the water.
They could develop gastrointestinal illness if bacteria is ingested, as well as eye, ear and throat symptoms and skin rashes more frequently.
Beach water quality is typically tested weekly and reported to Interior Health, but that increases to daily testing when guidelines are exceeded.
Once results fall within acceptable levels, the advisory can be lifted.
The City says that other Kelowna beaches are not under advisory and are safe for swimming at this time, and signs will be posted at Rotary Beach to alert the public about the advisory.
