Island Health issues water advisory for Kinsmen Beach

Island Health has issued a water advisory for Kinsmen Beach at Esquimalt Gorge Park due to unsatisfactory bacteriological results. The advisory, which went into effect on August 17, follows water samples taken on August 11 that showed 195 enterococci per 100 milliliters, significantly exceeding the threshold of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters used for advisories.

While the beach remains open to the public, health officials highly recommend that people avoid entering the water to reduce the risk of illness from elevated bacterial levels or other contaminants. Island Health works with local government and agencies to post warning signs at affected locations.