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Metro Vancouver beach closures extended as E. coli counts increase

For the second time in two weeks, health officials are warning people against swimming at three West Vancouver beaches after routine water quality sampling turned up E.coli bacteria counts exceeding safe limits.

Swimming advisories in effect in Vancouver and West Vancouver

CBC News ·
An aerial view looking west shows the shoreline of West Vancouver beyond the Lions Gate Bridge. Vancouver Coastal Health says three of the municipality's beaches have tested positive for high levels of E. coli in the water, and that swimmers should stay out of the water until the concentrations go down. (Vancouver Coastal Health)

For the second time in two weeks, health officials are warning people against swimming at three West Vancouver beaches after routine water quality sampling turned up E.coli bacteria counts exceeding safe limits.

“No Swimming” advisories have be put back in place for Ambleside, Dundarave and Sandy Cove beaches after tests once again exceeded safe levels.

A no swimming advisory issued for West Vancouver's Eagle Harbour last week also remains in effect.

E. coli readings at Vancouver's Sunset Beach are now more than double the safe limit for swimming.

Health officials generally advise against swimming when E. coli readings are in excess of 200 E.coli bacteria in 100 mL of water.

Vancouver's Sunset Beach, which was closed to swimming Wednesday, is now reporting E. coli concentrations of 405, up from 170, the previous week.

E.coli readings

West Vancouver

  • Ambleside — 246
  • Dundarave — 332
  • Sandy Cove — 253
  • Eagle Harbour — 502

Vancouver

  • Sunset Beach — 405

E.coli can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness.

Click here to be taken to the weekly beach water quality reports.

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