UPDATE Swimming advisory lifted for Rotary Beach

UPDATE Sept. 6

The swimming advisory for Rotary Beach in Kelowna, issued on Sept. 5, has been lifted effective immediately.

Water quality testing indicates the beach meets the guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.

The city says a swimming advisory is typically issued when bacterial counts exceed swimming guidelines and may increase the risk of illness if the water is ingested.

Beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of factors including lake currents, runoff and the outflow of creeks, changing environmental factors and waterfowl and animal waste; it is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather escalates bacterial growth and swimmers stir up the lake bottom.

Each summer, city staff collects weekly water samples from our beaches for Interior Health to test and analyze. Kelowna beaches being tested include: Sarsons, Hot Sands in City Park, Cedar Creek, Rotary, Tugboat Bay in Waterfront Park, Boyce Gyro and Strathcona.

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Sept. 5

A swimming advisory has been issued for Rotary Beach on Lakeshore Avenue near Barrera Road due to elevated bacterial counts.

A swimming advisory is a notice to swimmers that bacterial levels are currently higher than those allowed in the guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality. The beach is not closed, but swimming advisory signs have been posted so that public can make an informed choice.

The very young, the elderly and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible to infection related to bacterial counts in the water. When E. coli reaches 200 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.

“We are asking the public not to swim or engage in water-related recreation activities at Rotary Beach Park until the water quality advisory has been lifted,” said Blair Stewart, Park Services Manager. “Most people would be fine, but there is that one per cent who could become ill if they ingest the water.”

No other Kelowna beaches are under swimming advisory and meet all recreational water quality guidelines.

Beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of different factors including currents, runoff, creek outflows, waterfowl and animal waste. The City of Kelowna and Interior Health sample water quality at higher risk beaches, with no fewer than five samples in a 30-day period.

Once testing shows bacteria levels have returned to acceptable levels, the Swimming Advisory will be lifted.

While there is an advisory Rotary Beach, the City has several other designated swimming beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy. A map of all Kelowna beaches is available on the City’s website, kelowna.ca.