FRANCAIS

July 18, 2003

A beach posting has been issued for West Grand Beach due to E. coli levels exceeding recreational water guidelines. This means swimming or water contact at the West Beach is not recommended by the Medical Officer of Health.

Although the majority of swimmers will not become ill, the possibility of illness increases with high bacteria counts. The most common health risks that can occur are gastrointestinal illnesses, such as diarrhea, upper respiratory tract, eye, ear, nose or throat infections and skin ailments.

Swallowing contaminated water is the primary source of exposure to disease-causing micro-organisms. They may also enter the body through the ears, eyes and nose, or through broken skin.

Water monitoring is done routinely in Manitoba to ensure water quality guidelines are being met. Each year, between 20 and 40 major beaches are monitored using internationally recognized protocols. At the present time, major beaches are monitored regularly.

Multiple samples are collected from each beach on each sampling trip to ensure that the data are representative of the overall beach area. Included are the major beaches on Lake Winnipeg, in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, and in the south, central and western regions.

Manitoba Conservation will continue to monitor the situation with frequent testing. When the results meet the recreational quality guidelines, the beach posting will be removed. Manitoba Conservation publicizes the lab results on their Web site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/watres/wq_beach_data.html.

Warning signs have previously been posted twice at Manitoba beaches. Signs were placed at three beaches on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg during the late summer of 1993 and at Delta Beach on Lake Manitoba during early summer 1997. Indicator bacteria densities in both cases persisted for only a short period of time.

Further information can be obtained through Health Links at 788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.

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