Swimmers being advised to use caution at Kelowna’s Rotary Beach

KELOWNA – A water quality advisory has been issued for one of Kelowna’s most popular beaches.

Rotary Beach has not been closed but signs have been posted and people can make their own choices about going in the water, a City of Kelowna news release states.

“The very young, the elderly and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible to infection related to bacterial counts in the water,” the City says.

Swimming notices are issued when E. coli counts reach 200 units per 100 millilitres sample. Rotary Beach counts hit 420.

“We are asking the public not to swim or engage in water-related recreation activities at Rotary Beach until the water quality advisory has been lifted,” Blair Stewart, the city’s parks services manager, said in the release. “Most people would be fine, but there is that one per cent who could become ill.”

At an E. coli count above 200, about one per cent of swimmers may get stomach illness if they swallow the water. Eye, ear and throat symptoms, as well as skin rashes (not swimmer’s itch), can occur more often.

Over the past 10 days, there has been a lot of plant material on the beach and in the water.

“Beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of different factors including currents, runoff, creek outflows, waterfowl and animal waste,” the release states.

For more information, visit kelowna.ca/parks or call the Swimming Advisory Hotline at 250-469-8455.

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