Our three beaches are sampled weekly during swimming season for the E. coli bacterium, which is an indicator for recent fecal contamination by warm-blooded animals, mammals or birds. Results are posted on Vancouver Coastal Health's website.
A single sample over 235 E. coli/100 mL triggers an investigation, starting with resampling. Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality recommends closure of recreational water to swimming and wading when:
- the average of the previous five samples, or the previous 30 days, is over 200 E. coli/100 mL
- a single sample is over 400 E. coli/100 mL.
When these limits are breached the municipality posts notices at the affected beach. Enforcement is the responsibility of the health Authority. Learn more at the Vancouver Coastal Health Recreational Waters Website.