Signs appeared at Yellowknife’s Fred Henne Territorial Park beach on Thursday warning people against swimming while the water is tested. Elevated levels of E coli are reported to have been found.
The signs were first reported to Cabin Radio by residents who arrived at the Long Lake beach on Thursday afternoon to discover notices warning them of potentially unsafe water and an E coli concern.
When Cabin Radio visited the beach later in the afternoon, barriers stood at the beachfront.
Notices on the barriers read: “Water testing under way. Swimming not advised.”
On NWT Parks’ website, an advisory states “water quality concerns” are being investigated. (After this article was first published, the GNWT confirmed the advisory was issued on Thursday afternoon.)
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“Results from our most recent routine water testing showed elevated levels of E coli bacteria. Additional testing for E coli, fecal coliforms, and enterococci has been conducted to confirm the results,” NWT Parks stated in that advisory.
“Until bacteria levels are confirmed to be safe, the beach is considered unsafe for swimming, wading or drinking due to the elevated E coli levels. Exposure to or ingestion of the water may result in gastrointestinal illness, and a possible risk of skin, ear and eye infections.”
On Thursday afternoon, nobody was at the beach but children could instead be found playing in the water of the same lake around the corner at the neighbouring boat launch.
The NWT Parks advisory stated the boat launch area is not affected by the bacteria, though it added: “We do not recommend swimming at the boat launch area due to high levels of boating and motorized watercraft activity.”
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The playground remains open, NWT Parks stated, but nobody should swim or wade in the water until further notice.
“We will continue to test bacteria levels at the beach and may re-evaluate access restrictions to protect public safety,” the advisory continued.
“We are working closely with Environmental Health and will provide updates as soon as confirmatory test results are available.”
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, which oversees the territory’s parks, has been approached for more information, as has the Department of Health and Social Services.
