"No swimming" advisory for Whytecliff Park due to high E. coli levels

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Vancouver Coastal Health says it's not a good idea to go for a swim right now at Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver.

      "Due to high levels of bacteria in the water swimming and wading are not recommended at Whytecliff Beach in West Vancouver," the regional health authority states on its website.

      On Monday (July 6), VCH issued a "no swimming" advisory for Whytecliff Park, west of Horseshoe Bay, after recording a geometric mean of 200 E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres of water. That's the threshold for water quality for activities such as swimming, surfing, and waterskiing.

      "High levels of E. coli bacteria in the water increase risk of gastro-intestinal illness to swimmers. VCH is working to monitor the water quality and remove the swimming advisory once the levels have decreased," the VCH site states.

      According to VCH's July 6 Beach Water Quality report, False Creek has even higher E. coli levels, measured at 202 (west), 487 (central), and 2,226 (east).

      "False Creek is not classified as a Primary Contact Recreational Water Body (i.e. it is not a swimming/bathing beach). Users are advised to wash hands and shower after coming into contact with this water," the report says.

      All of the other beaches in the report have E. coli counts in the double digits, except for Trout Lake, which hit 117.

      Comments