No-swim notice lifted at several Vernon beaches on Okanagan Lake

“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,” the city said.

The beaches were closed, with swimming not recommended, on July 6 after a sewer line break in the Okanagan Landing area that was adjacent to waterways.

For more information regarding beach water quality, and a list of all beach advisories and closures in the Okanagan and surrounding area, visit the Interior Health website at: Beach Advisories (interiorhealth.ca) or Public Beaches | Environmental & Seasonal Health | IH (interiorhealth.ca).

Vernon beaches on Okanagan Lake still closed due to high bacterial counts
July 8, 2024

Beaches at the Vernon end of Okanagan Lake will remain closed until further notice.

In a news release issued Monday, the City of Vernon said results from water quality testing indicate that bacterial levels are currently higher than the acceptable levels after a sewer line break in the Okanagan Landing area on Saturday.

“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 news release stated.

As for the sewer line, the city says it has been repaired and residents and visitors south of the Vernon airport, including Predator Ridge and Eastside Road can resume regular use of the sanitary system.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue,” the news release concluded.

As for what caused the line break, that is not known at this pont.

“There are many reasons for a pipe to fail from age, installation, environmental changes, and potentially operational failures. It is not immediately clear what caused the sanitary sewer line break on the weekend, but it does not appear to be operational failure,” Josh Winquist, Communications Officer with the City, told Vernon Matters.

Winquist said further investigation will be required to determine the exact cause.

Beaches on Okanagan Lake in Vernon temporarily closed
July 6, 2024

Swimming is temporarily not allowed at the Vernon end of Okanagan Lake for health safety reasons.

The City of Vernon said the closures apply to several beaches along the south-east arm of the lake, from Kin Beach to Paddlewheel Park.

“Crews are currently onsite controlling and repairing a sewer line break in the Okanagan Landing area. The location of the break is adjacent to water bodies and waterways, with the potential to enter them,” a city news release issued Saturday afternoon stated.

As a result, out of an abundance of caution, swimming at certain beaches will not be permitted due to potential 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.

Signs have been posted at the affected beaches advising that swimming is not 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.

by Pete McIntyre

No-swim notice lifted at several Vernon beaches on Okanagan Lake

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