Come on in the water’s fine at Willows, at least that’s what the latest testing shows.
The District of Oak Bay rescinded its alert on unsafe bacteria levels Thursday (Aug. 24).
Signage will be removed and the beach will continue to be monitored as all beaches are by Island Health from mid-May through the Labour Day weekend. The health authority recommends advisories when testing shows over 1000 E. coli or 175 Enterococci per sample, as studies indicate there is an elevated risk associated with these bacterial levels, according to the authority.
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Beach advisories are also be considered when the average of the past several sample results exceed 200 E. coli or 35 Enterococci; a single sample result exceeds 400 E. coli or 70 Enterococci per sample’ a visible blue-green algae bloom is present; or other public health hazards are identified.
Glen Lake Park in Langford has been under advisory since July 7 for “unsatisfactory results” and Ross Bay Beach in Victoria since July 27 for unsatisfactory bacteria results.
No specific cause was given for the recent high bacteria count off Willows Beach.
RELATED: High bacteria count closes Oak Bay beach to swimmers
UPDATE - The water advisory for Willows Beach has been RESCINDED. Signage will be removed and the beach will continue to be monitored per routine testing schedules. #yyj #OakBay pic.twitter.com/yDYKJO5sFU
— District of Oak Bay (@DistrictOakBay) August 24, 2023
