Blue Water Task Force - Year End Summary
Water Quality Testing Results for 2016In 2016, 26 water samples were collected from 17 sampling locations (Figure 1) and were tested for the number of bacterial cells present in the sample. Three of the sample locations were freshwater, thus were analyzed for E. coli. The other 14 sample locations were marine water, thus were analyzed for Enterococcus. Results of the bacterial analyses are shown in Table 1 and Figures 2 and 3.Figure 1. Blue Water Task Force Water Quality Sampling Locations
Table 1. Blue Water Task Force 2016 Water Quality Testing Results
| Site Name | Date | E. coli Rating a (CFU/100 ml) | Enterococcus Rating b (CFU/100 ml) | Rain in last 3 days | |
| Muir Creek | December 3, 2016 | - | Low (0) | yes | |
| Elk Lake | November 28, 2016 | Low (0) | - | yes | |
| Elk Lake | November 28, 2016 | Low (0) | - | yes | |
| Elk Lake | November 28, 2016 | Low (1) | - | yes | |
| Sombrio Beach | November 13, 2016 | - | Low (0) | yes | |
| Willow's Beach North | October 31, 2016 | - | Medium (40) | yes | |
| Willow's Beach South | October 31, 2016 | - | Low (10) | yes | |
| Gorge Waterway - upper | October 17, 2016 | - | Low (0) | yes | |
| Gonzales Beach | September 6, 2016 | - | Medium (75) | yes | |
| Fleming Beach | August 21, 2016 | - | Low (20) | no | |
| Cadboro Beach | August 2, 2016 | Medium (216) | - | no | |
| Willows Beach | July 7, 2016 | - | Low (9) | yes | |
| Island View Beach | April 13, 2016 | - | Low (10) | yes | |
| Thetis Lake | April 4, 2016 | Medium (210) | - | yes | |
| Cadboro Beach | March 14, 2016 | - | Medium (41) | yes | |
| Clover Point | March 7, 2016 | - | Low (10) | yes | |
| Clover Point | February 22, 2016 | - | Medium (72) | yes | |
| Clover Point | February 15, 2016 | - | Medium (115) | yes | |
| Esquimalt Lagoon - freshwater | February 8, 2016 | High (750) | - | yes | |
| Esquimalt Lagoon - marine | February 8, 2016 | - | Low (0) | yes | |
| Gorge Waterway - lower | February 1, 2016 | - | Medium (113) | yes | |
| Jordan River | January 18, 2016 | - | Medium (41) | yes | |
| Clover Point | January 11, 2016 | - | Low (0) | yes | |
| Gorge Waterway - lower | January 11, 2016 | - | Low (20) | yes | |
| Island View Beach | January 11, 2016 | - | Medium (63) | yes | |
| Willows Beach | January 11, 2016 | - | Low (10) | yes |
Notes:CFU = colony forming unita E. coli rating is for freshwater samples: Low = 0 - 199; Medium = 200 - 999; High > 1,000.b Enterococcus rating: Low = 0 - 34; Medium - 36 - 174; High > 175.Colilert reagent pack is used with freshwater samples (E.coli bacteria).Enterolert reagent pack is used with marine water samples (Enterococcus bacteria species).Figure 2. BWTF 2016 Marine Water Sample Results
Figure 3. BWTF 2016 Fresh Water Sample Results
Of the water samples collected in 2016: 58% had a low bacterial count, 38% had a medium bacterial count, and 4% had a high bacterial count. Overall, the 2016 results indicate that the bacterial counts at local beaches are unlikely to pose a risk to human health and they are safe for recreational purposes (e.g., swimming and surfing). These encouraging results occurred despite there being rain in the three days prior to the majority (92%) of samples collected.We are always looking for volunteers for this program!If you would like to get involved with the Blue Water Task Force Team, contact us!