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Vancouver Beaches Shut Due to High E. coli
19 Jun
Summary
- Five Vancouver beaches are now closed to swimmers.
- High E. coli levels far exceed safe guidelines at beaches.
- Hot weather contributes to E. coli concerns at beaches.
Five beaches in Vancouver have been closed to swimmers following water sampling that revealed elevated E. coli bacteria levels. Sunset Beach initially closed on June 12. Vancouver Coastal Health later issued swimming restrictions for Kits Point Beach, Third Beach in Stanley Park, and English Bay Beach due to E. coli counts exceeding safe guidelines by more than four times. Trout Lake in East Vancouver was also restricted on Tuesday. Locarno Beach is currently under investigation for higher-than-expected E. coli levels but remains open for swimming as of Thursday. E. coli, commonly found in animal intestines, can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested, and skin irritation. The closures coincide with a hot and dry spell expected to continue until June 23.
