EDMONTON — Alberta Health Services (AHS) lifted one of two contaminated water advisories for beaches at Pigeon Lake on Monday. AHS said tests at Mission Beach show the bacterial levels have gone below the maximum acceptable guidelines, so the water there is once again safe to swim and wade in.
The advisories were issued three weeks ago, after elevated levels of fecal coliforms were found at both Mission Beach and Grandview Beach. Grandview remains under the contaminated water advisory.
AHS Environmental Public Health officers will continue to monitor the water.
A previously-issued blue-green algae bloom advisory is still in effect for Pigeon Lake. Earlier this year AHS changed the way it issued blue-green algae advisories, moving away from telling people to avoid the water completely.
“Our advisories have been changed slightly to indicate that if there’s blue-green algae present, avoid the blue-green algae. If the water’s visibly clear, then enjoy yourself,” said Dr. Chris Sikora, a medical officer of health in AHS’ Edmonton Zone, back in July.
READ MORE: ‘The change is just incredible’: AHS changes the way it issues blue-green algae advisories
For more information on blue-green algae advisories, visit Alberta Health Service’s website.
Pigeon Lake is about 100 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.
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