Langford Lake and Esquimalt Lagoon have been added to the growing list of beaches under a water quality advisory by Island Health.
Because of "unsatisfactory bacteriological water results" when testing for E. coli, Langford Lake was put under advisory at its Leigh Road location on July 23.
"Water activities are not recommended at this time," says a social media post by City of Langford.
Because of elevated enterococci levels, Esquimalt Lagoon was placed under advisory July 21.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, enterococci bacteria can get into open wounds and skin ulcers where they can cause an infection. When found in the water, it is a bacteriological indicator of fecal contamination, says Health Canada.
Island Health will issue a beach advisory when the enterococci level exceeds 35 per 100 ml. Esquimalt Lagoon's last test recorded 1359 per 100 ml.
The main beach of Lower Thetis Lake was also recently added to the list July 21, because of a blue-green algae bloom.
Advisories remain in place for Prior Lake, located in Thetis Lake Regional Park, as well as Elk and Beaver Lakes in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.
For the full list of beach advisories under the watch of Island Health, visit: inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/island-health/beach-advisory.
