LAC LA BICHE - Alberta Health Services officials are cautioning the public about increased levels of fecal coliform in the waters along the Golden Sands subdivision about 20 kilometres north of Lac La Biche.
The advisory is in place at the same time a blue-green algae advisory for Lac La Biche lake is also in effect. The blue-green algae advisory was issued on August 9.
AHS released the fecal bacteria advisory on August 12, following the most recent water testing of the lake, advising residents of increased levels of fecal bacteria in the water at the Golden Sands beach.
Although the cause of the contamination isn't specified in the advisory, similar cautions in recent months for other parts of the same lake have suggested the bacteria is likely the result bird populations on the lake.
Due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria, AHS officials are advising the public not to swim or wade at this beach area, effective immediately. At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water – as well, there is the possibility of skin, ear and eye infections with water contact.
AHS Environmental Public Health officers will continue to monitor the water at Golden Sands Beach. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
The Golden Sands advisory is the fourth water quality caution for fecal bacteria in Lac La Biche so far this summer. Similar advisories were issued earlier in the year for areas around Campers' Beach at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, McGrane Beach near the Lac La Biche Mission and White Sands Beach north of Plamondon. All of the previous advisories have been lifted.
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