Prairie Winds water park closes due to E. coli outbreak

The Prairie Winds water park in Calgary has voluntarily closed for one week, effective August 7, 2026, following reports of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) exposure. Public health officials have warned that individuals who visited the facility between July 25 and August 4, 2026, may have been exposed to the bacteria.

Water samples taken during that period showed bacterial counts significantly exceeding acceptable standards. For instance, while swimming pool standards require a heterotrophic plate count of no more than 100 colony-forming units per millilitre, samples from the park ranged between 1,500 and 2,440 units.

Alberta Health Services is working with the operator to identify the source of the infection and conduct further cleaning and testing. Symptoms of STEC include diarrhea and stomach cramps, which can lead to dehydration. Health officials advise those experiencing symptoms to contact medical providers and recommend frequent handwashing to prevent further spread, particularly to high-risk groups such as young children, seniors, and the immunocompromised.