Edmonton Riverkeeper tests water quality at accidental beach

Edmontonians tempted to go for a swim at the new accidental beach might want to check the water quality before wading in.

The North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper has been testing the water for E. coli at four sites along the river and posting the results online on the Swim Guide on a weekly basis.

The latest sample taken on Aug. 28 showed 238 colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli per 100 millilitres of water at the Cloverdale Beach, earning the status “failed to meet water quality standards.” The status is issued when E. coli levels exceed Health Canada’s guidelines for recreational water quality, which is 200 CFU per 100 millilitres of water.

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“Swimmers are advised that E. coli levels are only one of many parameters that should be carefully considered before entering the water,” said the group’s website.

Three other beaches at Laurier Park, Capilano Park and the Fort Edmonton footbridge all earned a status that “meets water quality standards” during the same timeframe.

However, the Riverkeeper said its findings should not be interpreted as a “warning” or “caution,” saying only Alberta Health Services has the authority to do so. The Riverkeeper said “the water quality is often as good as it is at many popular lakes across the province” and added it was not trying to send a message that people should avoid swimming in the water. Instead, the group said it hoped to help swimmers “understand the risks and exercise discretion accordingly.”

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The group also advises that water quality changes quickly in moving water and the data reflects water quality only at the time of sampling. On Aug. 22, the water quality at the Cloverdale Beach earned a “green” rating of 123 CFU per 100 millilitres of water.

However, the Riverkeeper told Global News its water quality updates “have no direct bearing on the level of health risk that may be present at any later date.”

Edmonton’s new beach appeared out of nowhere when construction crews building the Tawatina LRT bridge had to put temporary rock berms into the river. The berms changed the flow of the water, which naturally allowed sand to pile up.

The city announced this week that police, park rangers and animal control peace officers will monitor the new downtown beach to address several complaints.