August 18, 2006

• As of Aug. 16, recreational water quality was excellent at all beaches monitored by Manitoba Water Stewardship including beaches on Lake Winnipeg, Lake Manitoba, in the Whiteshell and Birds Hill areas, and others.

• Levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria were briefly above the recreational water quality guideline at Gimli, Gull Harbour and Sandy Hook beaches on Aug. 14 but quickly returned to below guidelines. Exceedance of the guideline of 200 E. coli/100 ml was likely caused by weather conditions when high winds and waves led to bacteria being washed out of beach sand and into the water. 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.

• 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, algae blooms were noted at Gull Harbour Beach on Aug. 14 and at West Grand Beach on Aug. 16. However, the concentration of an algae toxin, microcystin-LR, was well below Manitoba’s proposed recreational water quality guideline of 16 micrograms per litre at both beaches.

• More information on algae is available in the background section of this document.

• One of the most important things to think about when enjoying Manitoba’s beaches is safety. A safety tip to remember is to always check the water depth before diving.

• Seven Manitoba provincial parks are located on the south basin of Lake Winnipeg including Hecla/Grindstone, Beaver Creek, Camp Morton, Winnipeg Beach, Elk Island, Hnausa and Grand Beach.

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• 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.
• 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 humans.
• Advisory signs were posted at Gull Harbour and Sandy Hook beaches on Aug. 16, at Gimli Beach on July 30, at Oak Lake, Pelican Lake (South Beach) and Lynch’s Point on July 29, 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.
• 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 at these beaches, the advisory signs will remain posted for the duration of the summer.

• Algae are a sign of a healthy lake since they provide food and oxygen for many aquatic life forms. However, too much algae will form floating clumps or scums and can cause water quality problems for drinking water and recreation. During bloom conditions, the water sometimes looks like thick pea soup and may emit a strong, unpleasant odour.
• Although algal blooms are not uncommon in Lake Winnipeg, periods of calm, warm and sunny weather tend to increase the intensity and frequency of algae blooms. In addition, during the summer of 2005, heavy rainfall in Manitoba led to high volumes of water in the Red and Saskatchewan rivers bringing larger than average loads of nitrogen and phosphorus into Lake Winnipeg. Nitrogen and phosphorus transported into Lake Winnipeg in 2005 remain in the lake and are available to support algae growth during 2006. While the formation of algae blooms is difficult to predict, warm and calm weather coupled with relatively high nutrient loads presents ideal conditions for their development.

• The following beach hygiene tips will help keep Manitoba beaches clean:

- Don't feed the shore birds. Gulls can quickly become accustomed to eating and residing on the beach.

- Don't litter or discard food on the beach. Dispose of trash in proper receptacles.

- Clean up after your pets. Pets are not allowed on provincial park beaches and on most beaches in rural municipalities.

- Change diapered children frequently and away from the water's edge.

- Never bury waste in the sand.

• 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:

- avoid swimming with an open cut or wound, or if you’re experiencing illness;

- stay away from the water if you are experiencing digestive or intestinal problems;

- avoid swallowing lake water when playing or swimming;

- wash your hands before handling food; and

- on Lake Winnipeg, reduce exposure to the lake water if water levels are high and the wind is coming from the north.

• Algae blooms can produce toxins that can be harmful to the liver or nervous system if large amounts of water are ingested. Drinking water containing algae can also cause an upset stomach and diarrhea, and external exposure to algae blooms has been reported to cause skin irritation.
• In the absence of a severe algal bloom, recreational activities are considered safe. However, if large amounts of green scum are visible in the water, it is advisable to:

- avoid swimming or other contact with the water;

- not drink the water – boiling or chlorination will not make the water safe;

- prevent pets and livestock from drinking along the shoreline; and

          - not eat fish from the lake that appear unhealthy.