UPDATE: Westwood Lake is still off-limits for swimming.
The City of Nanaimo was advised by Island Health today, Aug. 11, that a second test showed bacteria levels still exceeded allowable limits, noted a press release.
“It is important that we keep swimmers safe, so until the levels drop to an allowable limit, we continue to encourage the community to use alternative water recreation areas such as the water parks and the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre,” said Damon Johnston, the city’s assistant manager of aquatics, in a press release.
THURSDAY EVENING: People wanting to beat the heat with a dip in the lake will have to go elsewhere.
The City of Nanaimo is advising Thursday evening that Westwood Lake is closed to swimming until further notice due to coliform levels.
Island Health informed the city that the bacteria levels at Westwood exceeds allowable limits and “swimming is not recommended due to poor water quality,” according to a city press release.
“It is important that we keep swimmers safe, so until the levels drop to an allowable limit, we encourage the community to use alternative water recreation areas,” said Damon Johnston, the city’s assistant manager of aquatics, in a press release.
The city said follow-up testing would take place Friday, Aug. 10, with results expected back from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control the the next day.
Attn. #Nanaimo. @cityofnanaimo is advising Westwood Lake closed to #swimming due to coliform levels. pic.twitter.com/fuRFz2am5b
— Karl Yu (@KarlYuBulletin) August 10, 2018
A Hawaiian Holidaze event that had been scheduled for Friday has been cancelled.
Westwood Lake Park’s trails remain open for hiking and walking.
“I would recomment people go to local water parks and our aquatic centre; those would be the places that I would encourage people to attend to cool down,” Johnston said.
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