Water testing is currently being conducted at popular beaches and waterways in the City of Nanaimo to ensure the safety of those who use them.
Testing began on Jun. 18 and is currently being conducted at Brannen Lake, Colliery Dam Park, Departure Bay, Long Lake, Swy-A-Lana Lagoon and Westwood Lake.
Each week 24 samples are being tested for fecal coliforms to make sure they meet the provincial guidelines, and the city says if results will determine if a beach should be closed.
According to the city, animal feces wash into water bodies such as lakes, contributing creeks, drainage ditches and storm sewers can raise coliform and E-coli levels in the water and may contribute to public closures.
General manager of engineering and public works Bill Sims says monitoring and testing protects everyone but is also vital to balancing aquatic life and ecosystems.
“We can all do our part to ensure our waterways and beaches are clean,” he says. “Don’t dispose of feces, paint, drywall, or oils into ditches or catch basins as they can end up in our streams and oceans.”
To help reduce the number of contaminants in the waterways the city has a bylaw in place that states dogs are not to be on beaches or in the water between the beginning of May to the end of September each year.
The bylaws is also in place for all of Nanaimo’s lakes, streams and popular swimming spots except for designated off-leash areas.
To view the status of the beaches, visit the city’s website.
