Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has closed swimming at Wayside Park today until further notice, due to higher than recommended E.coli levels (fecal coliform concentrations) in the water.
Park visitors, however, can still access and use the facilities at the park, but cannot swim in the water.
RMOW staff collect weekly samples from May through September from Lakeside, Wayside, Alpha Lake, Rainbow, and Lost Lake parks in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health.
The water quality in Whistler lakes is typically very good. If a swimming beach shows elevated concentrations of fecal coliform, however, the swimming area is closed.
E-coli can cause a variety of health issues.
Fecal coliform is bacteria found in warm-blooded animals that can enter lakes in a number of ways. Levels may be impacted due to factors such as weather and the presence of geese at some beaches.
The RMOW and Vancouver Coastal Health will continue to monitor the water quality and provide updates and will remove the swimming advisory once the levels have decreased. Learn more about beach water monitoring.
