Swimming advisory for Marina Park Beach lifted

The City of West Kelowna, in consultation with Interior Health, has lifted the swimming advisory at Marina Park Beach, effective immediately.

Results from water quality testing are within the acceptable range set in the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines.

A swimming advisory for Marina Park Beach was put in place on Aug. 26 when bacterial counts measured higher than acceptable E.coli counts. When bacterial counts are above the standard, swimming, particularly in shallow water, may increase the risk of illness.

Beach water quality can fluctuate due to several factors including lake currents, plant debris, changing environmental factors, waterfowl and other animal waste. It is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather increases bacterial growth, and swimmers stir up the lake bottom.

Each summer, City staff test and analyze water samples from our beaches and consult with Interior Health before an advisory is issued. West Kelowna beaches being regularly tested include Pebble Beach, Marina Park Beach, Gellatly Bay Beach, and Pritchard Park.

For more information about beach water quality, visit westkelownacity.ca/beachwaterquality.