UPDATE Tuesday, July 9:
Some beaches are back open and safe to swim at.
As of June 9, a public notice that was issued for several beaches along Okanagan Lake in Vernon has been rescinded and beaches have been reopened to the public.
Results from water quality testing at Kin Beach and Paddlewheel Park indicate bacterial levels are low and back within the acceptable range set in the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.
A water quality advisory remains in place for Lakeshore Park. Bacterial levels are considered acceptable; however, swimming is not recommended at this time. The city will continue to monitor the water quality and will provide information as it becomes available.
For more information regarding beach water quality, and a list of all beach advisories and closures in the Okanagan and surrounding area, please visit the Interior Health Authority’s website at: Beach Advisories (interiorhealth.ca) or Public Beaches | Environmental & Seasonal Health | IH (interiorhealth.ca).
UPDATE Monday, July 8:
Several beaches along Okanagan Lake remain closed following a sewer line break Saturday.
Results from water quality testing indicate that bacterial levels are currently higher than the acceptable levels set in the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality.
As a precaution, beaches from Kin Beach to Paddlewheel Park will remain temporarily closed.
Signs have been posted advising that swimming is not recommended.
The city will continue to monitor the water quality and will provide information as it becomes available.
The sewer line has been repaired and residents and visitors south of the Vernon airport, including Predator Ridge and Eastside Road can resume regular use of sanitary system.
"Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue," the city said.
ORIGINAL Saturday, July 6:
In the middle of the hottest weekend of the year, beaches along Okanagan Lake in Vernon have been closed.
The city said Saturday afternoon that all beaches along the southeast arm of the lake, from Kin Beach to Paddlewheel Park, are temporarily closed due to a sewer line break in the Okanagan Landing area. Crews are currently controlling and repairing the sewer line.
The city said the broken sewer line is adjacent to waterways with the potential to enter them and is closing the beaches out of caution to safeguard people from exposure to "high bacterial counts."
"Beaches within the proximity of the break will be temporarily closed until testing can confirm water quality is an acceptable level," the city said.
Signs have been posted at the affected beaches advising that swimming is not currently recommended.
"The water quality for the beaches will continue to be monitored and the public will be advised when it is safe to resume swimming in the area," the city said.
