· Recreational water quality was excellent at all beaches monitored by Manitoba Water Stewardship including beaches on Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba, Lake Dauphin, in the Whiteshell and Birds Hill areas, and others.

· On Lake Winnipeg, water quality is presently within recreational water quality guidelines at all 18 beaches monitored including Victoria (Beach and Red Cross Dock), Albert, Hillside, Lester, West Grand, East Grand, Patricia, Grindstone, Black Point, Gull Harbour, Sandy Bar, Hnausa, Spruce Sands, Gimli, Sandy Hook, Winnipeg and Matlock beaches.

· Results for all beaches across Manitoba are posted as they become available on Manitoba Water Stewardship’s website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/waterstewardship

· On Lake Winnipeg, weather and lake level information appear to be good predictors of E. coli bacteria levels. Strong northerly winds that cause waves and push water levels higher tend to cause E. coli bacteria levels to increase. When calmer weather returns, E. coli bacteria levels typically fall quickly to below guideline levels.

· Extensive sampling for E. coli in beach sand and water on Lake Winnipeg is underway again this year and follows from the work done in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

· Extensive research has shown that wet sand underlying a number of Lake Winnipeg beaches contains E. coli bacteria that can be washed into beach water when water levels rise and flood beaches.

· Advanced testing known as DNA ribotyping is being used to identify sources of contamination. Results over the last several years indicate that approximately 50 per cent of the sand and water samples could be attributed to shorebirds and geese, while 36 per cent of the samples could not be matched to a source. Only seven per cent of the samples could be attributed to human activity.

· Recent studies of Lake Winnipeg beaches indicate that levels of E. coli bacteria can fluctuate daily and that elevated levels are typically short-term and quickly fall back below guideline levels.  Although the risk of illness is small, advisory signs help to remind bathers of additional precautions they can follow to reduce the risk of bather-related illness at beaches where E. coli levels fluctuate regularly. Since bacteria levels can fluctuate daily, the advisory signs will remain posted for the duration of the summer.

· Advisory signs were posted at West Grand Beach on July 1, at Winnipeg Beach on June 28, at East Grand Beach on June 7 and at Hnausa, Spruce Sands, and Sandy Bar beaches on June 2. 

· Most swimmers will not become ill when E. coli bacteria levels are elevated above the recreational water quality guideline. However, the possibility of illness increases with rising levels of bacteria.

· Manitobans can safely enjoy the province’s plentiful beaches and are advised to keep a few things in mind when at the beach:

· One of the most important things to think about when enjoying Manitoba’s beaches is safety. Learn lifesaving and first aid skills so you can help yourself and others.