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E. coli alert lifted at Penticton beach

City says it’s safe to swim again in that area of Okanagan Lake
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Marina Way beach (Google Maps)

It’s safe to swim again and the E.coli warning has been lifted from the waters off Marina Way at Okanagan Lake in Penticton.

The alert was lifted on Friday when tests returned to normal, said the city.

Swimmers were being advised to take extra precautions at the Marina Way beach after high levels of E. coli were found in the waters there.

Testing on May 18 and a retest on May 22 found levels more than twice the acceptable limit.

The reasons for E.coli can vary depending on the conditions at the time of the test, which are completed every Tuesday at 13 waterfront sites, including along the channel, said Philip Cooper, the city’s communication manager.

“For example, a combination of water currents, wind patterns and contaminants like bird droppings in the water can trigger a failure leading to an alert,” said Cooper.

READ MORE: Water off the Marina Way beach tests high for E. coli



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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