Public Beaches

The beach is a great place for people to relax and enjoy some outdoor activities. However, swimming in these natural bodies of water may not be risk-free. Water conditions and quality can change quickly due to a number of environmental factors, and contaminated waters can increase the swimmer’s risk of infection, illness or injury.

Beach owners/operators are responsible for monitoring beaches throughout the swimming season to ensure they meet the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines.

It is recommended that beach owners have a beach safety plan in place to identify monitoring parameters, and to respond quickly to changes in water quality and conditions, including posting advisories.

Learn more about creating a beach safety plan

Monitoring water quality includes testing for the presence of E. coli, a bacteria found in the feces of warm-blooded animals (including humans), which can indicate the presence of illness-causing pathogens.

If a sample exceeds the Beach Action Value of ≥ 235 E. coli/100 mL in a single sample (as set out in the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines), follow-up actions may be needed. Depending on how high the levels are and other environmental factors, this could include resampling or posting public advisory signage.

View beach water samples

Note: Beach water quality is always changing, and sample results do not reflect real time water quality. If a beach is not listed in the search that means the beach is not routinely sampled.

Beach operators are responsible for monitoring beach water quality during the swimming season. When sampling results indicate the water may be unsafe, beach advisories or closures will be posted by beach owners/operators in consultation with Interior Health. 

• Swimming Advisories: A swimming advisory is issued when users may have a higher risk of getting sick from gastrointestinal and skin/eye infections when they engage in recreational activities such as swimming. Advisories are posted on this website. Signage will also be posted at the location by the beach owner/operator. 
• Beach Closures: A beach closure is issued where conditions are present that indicate operation of the beach is hazardous to the public. This could be a chemical hazard (e.g. oil spill) or a physical hazard (e.g. floating debris). Closure status will be posted on this website. Signage will also be posted at the location by the beach owner/operator

View beach advisories

For the latest information on advisories and closures contact the beach owner. 

Note: Beach advisories are based on the most up to date information, but water quality is always changing, and sample results do not reflect real-time water quality.

• Beach advisories
• Creating a beach safety plan
• Canadian recreational water quality guidelines
• Algae bloom information