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Five Vancouver beaches are now closed to swimmers after water sampling revealed high levels of E. coli bacteria, officials say.
While Sunset Beach in the West End had been closed to swimming since June 12, four other beaches around the city were placed under restrictions after Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) water sampling investigations.
VCH said the Kits Point Beach (Hadden Beach), Third Beach in Stanley Park and English Bay Beach in the West End were restricted from swimming on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Trout Lake in East Vancouver was placed under restrictions.
In all of those instances, officials said E. coli levels far exceeded safe guidelines — with Third Beach and English Bay recording E. coli levels more than four times the limits set by authorities.
Meanwhile, Locarno Beach in the Point Grey neighbourhood remains under investigation after higher-than-expected E. coli levels in water samples.
However, it is not restricted to swimming as of Thursday afternoon.
WATCH | Sunset Beach closed to swimming since June 12:
Sunset Beach closed to swimming due to high E. coli levels
A no-swimming advisory is in effect for Vancouver’s Sunset Beach due to high E. coli levels. As the CBC’s Michelle Gomez explains, multiple factors are at play.
E. coli is a bacteria that’s commonly found in the intestinal tract of animals and humans, but it can also be found in swimming water that has been polluted with untreated waste.
Health officials say swallowing water with high levels of E. coli can lead to vomiting, infections, and diarrhea.
E. coli can also irritate the skin. Seniors, children and people with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to it.
The restrictions on swimming at the beaches comes as Vancouver continues to feel an extended hot and dry summer spell.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting a stretch of sunny days until June 23, with maximum temperatures sitting at between 23 C and 24 C.
Residents can find updates and information about Vancouver beach water quality at Vancouver Coastal Health’s website.