High levels of E. coli in Gimli Beach prompts warning

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This article was published 09/07/2017 (3042 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An E. coli advisory has been posted for Gimli Beach following a July 6 test that found high levels of the bacteria.

The test found 322 colony-forming units of E. coli per 100 millilitres, which is more than 120 higher than the acceptable amount.

A July 4 test found only 39 colony-forming units of E. coli per 100 ml. It is not clear what lead to the spike in bacteria at this time.

The advisory has been posted to warn swimmers about the situation at the Lake Winnipeg beach.

The possibility of illness increases with the bacteria level. Authorities do not believe anyone will become sick, but are still asking swimmers to take a number of precautions.

Swimmers are asked to avoid swallowing lake water, to wash their hands before handling food and to not swim with an open cut or if ill.

Under conditions where bacteria may be washed into the water from the shore, such as strong northern winds or if the lake level is high, authorities suggest not swimming.

It is not believed the high bacteria levels will last for long.

Advisories have also been posted for two other beaches in the province due to large algae blooms. June 26 tests found algae levels more than seven times the acceptable limit at Shoal Lake Beach and six times the acceptable limit at Sandy Lake beach.

People are being asked to take a number of precautions as a large amount of algae are visible, including not swimming, not drinking the water even if boiled, not allowing animals to drink the water and not eating fish from the lake. Algae blooms can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea, as well as irritate eyes and skin.

— staff