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High levels of E. coli bacteria at Osoyoos beach

Town has issued a swimming advisory for Cottonwood beach
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Signs have gone up at Cottonwood beach in Osoyoos for a swimming advisory. (File photo)

Not that many people will be swimming this week, during this cold, rainy weather, but if you do venture out in Osoyoos, maybe don’t choose Cottonwood beach to take a dip.

The Town of Osoyoos is issuing a swimming advisory due to unsatisfactory bacteriological results from water samples taken at Cottonwood beach.

This swimming advisory will be in effect until such time that water samples return to a satisfactory nature, said the Town in a press release.

Unsatisfactory samples taken over a 30-day period contain an average of more than 200 E. coli bacteria/100ml, and/or a series of single sample results exceed 400 E. coli bacteria/100ml.

Satisfactory samples taken over a 30-day period contain an average of less than or equal to 200 E. coli bacteria/100ml.

Different beaches across Osoyoos had swimming advisories last summer.

READ MORE: High E.coli counts warning at two popular beaches



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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