Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a no swim advisory at Panorama Park due to high coliform counts.
For safety, health officials are advising that people do not swim in Deep Cove until the advisory has been lifted.
The Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines recommend a level less than or equal to 200 E. coli/100 mL bacteria for primary contact recreational activities, including swimming, paddle boarding, surfing, or any activity in which the whole body can be immersed and water will likely be swallowed.
The levels are monitored using two limits: less than or equal (≤) to 200 E. coli/100 mL based on the previous five samples and a single sample limit of ≤ 400 E. coli/100 mL. When either of these limits is exceeded an assessment will be made by the medical health officer, states VCH.
Deep Cove has had repeat samples of ≤ 400 E. coli/100 mL and single sample results of ≤ 400 E. coli/100 mL.
When the level of bacteria is higher there is an increased risk of illness to swimmers, states VCH.
“High counts of E. coli in recreational water may increase the chances of gastrointestinal, upper respiratory illnesses, and skin and eye infections,” VCH explains.
VCH says there are many possible sources of E.coli contamination, including storm water runoff, contaminated from recreational vehicles, animal waste and sewer overflows.
"Other possible sources are leaking septic tanks and discharge from boats," VCH states. "Heavy rain is often a factor contributing to poor beach water quality. Bacteria levels can be elevated after heavy rainfall, and people are advised to avoid swimming at the beach for at least 48 hours."
When tests show that the beach water quality has returned to an acceptable level, the advisory will be lifted.
