FRANCAIS

July 19, 2003

The beach posting issued on Friday, July 18, 2003 has been lifted for West Grand Beach as the latest test results of E. coli levels fall well within recreational water guidelines.

These guidelines recommend warnings be posted when E. coli levels exceed a count of 200 per 100-ml sample. Levels in 16 samples taken Friday showed an average result of 24, well below the warning level recommendation.

Although the majority of swimmers will not become ill from high E. coli levels, 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 microorganisms. 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.

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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