Lakeside Park beach at Alta Lake is closed for swimming once again due to elevated coliform levels in the water.
In a notice posted to its website, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) said swimming is not permitted until follow-up water samples confirm the water quality meets Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) standards. The rest of the park remains open.
VCH closes beaches when “conditions are present that indicate continued operation of the beach is dangerous to the public,” according to its health protocols.
Water sample results from July 21 showed 1,400 colony-forming units per 100 millilitres (cfu/100 mL) of E. coli—well above the VCH closure threshold of 200 cfu/100 mL.
Coliform bacteria, often caused by fecal contamination—in Alta Lake’s case, usually from geese—can lead to health issues including skin and eye irritation or gastrointestinal illness.
Rainbow Beach is also under investigation due to higher-than-normal levels of E. coli, but swimming there has not been restricted.
This is the second closure for Lakeside Park this month. The beach was previously closed on July 14 and reopened on July 17 after water quality improved.
VCH offers the following tips for anyone swimming at public beaches:
- Rinse off thoroughly after swimming, especially if showers are available. Pay close attention to any cuts or scrapes.
- If you suspect you’ve been exposed to contaminated water, wash swimsuits, towels and clothing as soon as possible.
- Seek medical attention if you begin to feel unwell. Inform your doctor that you may have been exposed to contaminated water and contact your local health authority to report the illness.
More information and beach water quality updates can be found on the Vancouver Coastal Health website.
