Swimming advisory for Rotary Beach

News Release

A swimming advisory has been issued for Rotary Beach in Rotary Beach Park. The beach is not closed, but swimming advisory signs have been posted so that the public can make an informed choice based on latest beach water quality readings.

Other Kelowna beaches are not under advisory and are safe for swimming currently. Launching a paddle board, kayak or other above-water activities at Rotary are not impacted by the advisory.

The very young, older adults and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible to infection related to bacterial counts in the water. When E. coli reaches 235 units per 100 millilitre sample, it’s expected that one per cent of bathers may develop gastrointestinal (stomach) illness if these bacteria are ingested. Eye, ear and throat symptoms, as well as skin rashes (not swimmer’s itch), can occur more frequently.

“We’re seeing a greater amount of goose and duck activity and plant matter in this part of Okanagan Lake in addition to higher water temperatures , which can often result in higher bacterial counts. We are asking the public not to swim at Rotary Beach until this Beach Water Quality Advisory has been lifted,” says Ed Hoppe, Water Quality and Customer Care Supervisor. “Most people would be fine, but there is that one per cent who could become ill.”

A swimming advisory is a notice to swimmers that bacterial levels are currently higher than those allowed in the BC Recreational Water Quality Guidelines. The maximum allowable number of E. coli bacteria in recreational water is 235 per 100-millilitre sample at any one point in time.

Beach water quality is tested weekly and reported to Interior Health. When guidelines are exceeded, testing frequency is increased to daily until results fall within acceptable levels, at which time the advisory can be lifted.

When a swimming advisory is in place, signs are posted at the affected beach.

While there is an advisory at Rotary Beach, Kelowna has several other designated swimming beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy. A map of all Kelowna beaches is available at kelowna.ca/parks.

For more information, visit our Beach Water Quality webpage or call the swimming advisory hotline at 250-469-8455.