Vancouver Island Health Authority Monitors Local Beaches for Water Quality
Local popular swimming holes are monitored for water quality during the swimming season to ensure an enjoyable summer pastime.
According to the VIHA website:
Why monitor beaches?
Beaches are monitored to protect swimmers from illnesses that may be linked to unacceptable bacteria levels. Swimming in water with unacceptable bacteria levels can increase the risk of ear, nose and throat infection or stomach illnesses.
Tier three: A beach is labeled tier three if many people swim there, there have been high bacterial counts in the past, and there may be sources of contamination are near the beach. These beaches are sampled weekly during the swimming season. Tier two: A tier two beach has a moderate number of people swimming at it, a history of occasional poor samples (i.e. one incident of high bacteria over several years) and little chance of contamination. These beaches are sampled every two weeks during the swimming season. Tier one: A tier one beach has few swimmers using it, a good sampling history, ( i.e. no incidences of high bacteria in the past) and no sources of contamination. They also have frequent water turn over due to tides, currents or water flow. These beaches are not sampled unless an environmental health officer believes it is necessary to do so. To check the current Beach Report use this Nanaimo Info LINK.How often are beaches sampled?
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