Elbow River contamination warning in Calgary expanded
Dave Dormer | CBC News | Posted: August 26, 2016 10:39 PM | Last Updated: August 26, 2016
High levels of fecal coliforms found between Sandy Beach and Ninth Avenue S.E.
Calgarians are being warned not to swim or wade in the Elbow River between Sandy Beach and Ninth Avenue S.E. due to elevated levels of fecal coliforms.
Alberta Health Services issued the warning Friday, which is an expansion to a warning issued early in July of high levels of fecal coliforms in the river between 25th Avenue S.W. and Ninth Avenue S.E.
The high levels were detected during routine testing and can cause skin, ear and eye infections.
The public is also warned not to drink water from the affected areas as water-borne organisms, including fecal coliforms, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Signs have been posted at the affected areas.
Medical officer of health Dr. Jason Cabaj told the CBC last month that recent storms combined with people and their pets were a possible cause for the contamination.
AHS environmental public health officers will continue to monitor the water.
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