Lions Bay Beach Gets Green Light

Fecal coliform count drops to within accepted safety levels

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has rescinded the red status warning issued for Lions Bay Beach on June 30.

Water tests of all three Village beaches show that fecal coliform counts remain low at Brunswick and Kelvin Grove, and have dropped back to a safer level of between 240-280 E.coli/100mL at Lions Bay Beach.

E. coli is a specific form of bacteria found in the guts of warm-blooded mammals, including humans. According to the Mayo Clinic, while most forms of E. coli are relatively harmless, a few strains can cause stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

Illness is caused when bacteria that's too small to see makes its way into the mouth and digestive tract. Some forms can also be transmitted through undercooked meat and unpasteurized beverages.

VCH says that exposure to elevated E. coli concentrations while swimming or wading could cause "an increased risk of infection in ears, eyes, nose, throat and skin as well as cause diarrhea if the water is swallowed."

Testing for E. coli is undertaken weekly from May to September by Public Works on behalf of VCH at our three local beaches. The most recent figures can be found HERE.

A Village Update issued on July 2 announced that since the samples taken at Lions Bay beach were below 400 E. coli/100 ml, the VCH medical health officer approved removing the No Swimming/Wading signage. 

The statement further noted that "the public would be wise to heed VCH water quality notices, with municipal signage being deliberately placed and removed. It can be relied upon."

More information about VCH standards for beach water quality can be found HERE.

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