Swimming advisory issued for Marina Park Beach

A swimming advisory has been issued for Marina Park Beach. The beach is not closed, but swimming advisory signs have been posted so that the public can make an informed choice based on latest beach water quality readings.

Other West Kelowna beaches are not under a swimming advisory and are safe for swimming at this time.

The very young, older adults, and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible to infection related to bacterial counts in the water. When E. coli reaches 235 units per 100 millilitre sample, it’s expected that one per cent of bathers may develop gastrointestinal (stomach) illness if these bacteria are ingested. Eye, ear and throat symptoms, as well as skin rashes (not swimmer’s itch), can occur more frequently. 

A swimming advisory is a notice to swimmers that bacterial levels are currently higher than those allowed in the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines. The maximum allowable number of E. coli bacteria in recreational water is 235 units per 100-millilitre sample. 

Beach water quality is tested weekly and reported to Interior Health. When guidelines are exceeded, testing frequency is increased to daily until results fall within acceptable levels, at which time the advisory can be lifted.   

When a swimming advisory is in place, signs will be posted at the affected beach. 

While there is an advisory at Marina Park Beach, the City has several other designated swimming beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy. A map of all West Kelowna beaches is available at westkelownacity.ca/parks-and-facilities/.

For more information about beach water quality, visit westkelownacity.ca/parks-recreation-facilities/beach-water-quality/.