COLD LAKE - A water quality advisory remains in effect for Kinosoo Beach on Cold Lake after Alberta Health Services (AHS) detected elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water. The advisory, issued on Aug. 8, cautions the public against swimming or wading at the beach due to potential health risks.
"The City of Cold Lake takes weekly water samples within the swimming area once the swimming buoys are out. These samples are provided to AHS for testing,” explained CAO Kevin Nagoya, speaking with Lakeland This Week. “The City works with AHS to deploy advisory signs in the area, and the advisory is posted to AHS’s website.”
Nagoya noted that water quality advisories at Kinosoo Beach are common during hot weather with limited wave activity, and these conditions can lead to the buildup of contaminants.
While the beach remains under advisory, the City is anticipating the results of additional water tests.
“As samples are taken weekly, we are expecting to receive the next set of results in the coming days,” Nagoya noted.
He also mentioned that the City is awaiting results from microbial source tracking (MST) tests, which will help identify whether the contamination is of avian, canine, or human origin.
Despite the advisory, the splash park remains open and safe for use, as it draws its water from the Cold Lake Water Treatment Plant.
AHS will continue to monitor the water at Kinosoo Beach, and the advisory will stay in effect until further notice. According to AHS, ingesting contaminated water could lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, while skin, ear, and eye infections are also possible through contact.
