The City of Kelowna has lifted the swimming advisory issued for Rotary Beach on Sept. 5.

Water quality testing indicates the beach meets the guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.

A Swimming Advisory is typically issued when bacterial counts exceed swimming guidelines and may increase the risk of illness if the water is ingested.

Beach water quality can fluctuate due to a number of factors including lake currents, runoff and the outflow of creeks, changing environmental factors, and waterfowl and animal waste; it is typically poorer in the summer when the warm weather escalates bacterial growth and swimmers stir up the lake bottom.

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Each summer, City staff collects weekly water samples from our beaches for Interior Health to test and analyze. Kelowna beaches being tested include Sarsons, Hot Sands in City Park, Cedar Creek, Rotary, Tugboat Bay in Waterfront Park, Boyce Gyro and Strathcona.

To help enhance beach water quality please:

• Do not feed the birds.
• Do not take your pet to the beach; dogs are only permitted at the Cedar Creek Park beach.
• Do not litter – dispose of all waste in garbage cans.
• Change diapered children frequently in the bathroom, not at the beach.
• Dispose of boat sewage in onshore sanitary facilities.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet or after changing diapers.
• Do not swim if you have diarrhea.
• Call 71-PARKS if you see something that needs our attention.

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

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Kelowna Capital News