The number of capital region beaches with bacteria warnings has jumped to 10 from four last week, but it’s not a sign of a major source of contamination, says the medical health officer for the south Island.
Beaches that tend to attract the most swimmers are regularly tested in a program that runs from mid-May through September, said Island Health’s Dr. Christina Kay.
New to the list in recent days are two stretches of Willows Beach — the south end and the area around the foot of Estevan Avenue — along with Hamsterly Beach at Elk Lake and Esquimalt Lagoon.
Beaches at Langford Lake off Nixon Lane and Centennial Park in Ganges on Salt Spring Island have also been added, with continuing advisories at Coles Bay in North Saanich, Saanich Inlet off Clarke Road, Ross Bay and Kinsmen Beach in Esquimalt Gorge Park.
All have “unsatisfactory” bacterial levels that have passed a threshold for recommended public use.
The testing concentrates on E. coli bacteria in fresh water and enterococcus in the ocean.
Island Health’s environmental-health officers do the testing and advise local officials when signage is needed, Kay said.
“It’s not actually a closure, it’s just an advisory,” she said.
Kay said too much bacteria in the water is more of an issue in the spring and summer, and can lead to gastrointestinal illness, skin irritation and other health concerns.
Seasonally warmer water, tides and storm runoff can be triggers, she said.
“Sometimes at low tide they get a higher reading,” Kay said. “Or storm activity and runoff can bring more contaminants into the water. Storm drains can pick up contaminants along the way.”
Fecal matter from geese can also increase bacteria levels, she said.
Kay recommends checking out Island Health’s list of beach advisories, which are posted online at .
General recommendations for beach users can include avoiding swimming after heavy rain or when the water looks murky, she said.
“Also avoid swallowing water and avoid swimming if you have open cuts or wounds,” she said.
Kay said other preventive measures are to shower as soon as possible after getting out of the water and to wash your hands before eating.
