PROVINCIAL — The Saskatchewan Health Authority has issued E. coli advisories for several beaches across Saskatchewan, urging residents and visitors to avoid swimming at the affected sites until further notice.
As of the latest testing, swimming is not recommended at:
-
Alice Beach on Last Mountain Lake
-
Clearwater Regional Park Beach on Clearwater Lake
-
Nickle Lake Regional Park Beach on Nickle Lake
-
Stoney Beach on Humboldt Lake (due to elevated levels of microcystin)
According to the Saskatchewan Healthy Beaches Report, elevated levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the water have triggered the advisories. Once a beach is placed under advisory, follow-up testing is conducted.
Melville Beach and Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park Beach have both cleared recent water tests and are no longer under advisories.
Local health authorities advise against swimming or entering the water at the affected beaches until further testing confirms that it is safe.
Latest water quality results:
-
Tested Aug. 22, 2025 — Alice Beach: E. coli = 967.4/100 mL; Microcystin <0.1 µg/L
-
Tested Aug. 25, 2025 — Clearwater Lake Regional Park Beach: E. coli = 34.9/100 mL; Microcystin <0.1 µg/L (single sample E. coli exceedance)
-
Tested Aug. 27, 2025 — Nickle Lake Regional Park Beach: E. coli = 67.7/100 mL; Microcystin <0.1 µg/L (single sample E. coli exceedance)
-
Tested Aug. 26, 2025 — Stoney Beach: E. coli = 3.2/100 mL; Microcystin = 7,500 µg/L
All reported levels far exceed the Health Canada guideline of 235 colony-forming units (CFU) of E. coli per 100 mL of water, which is considered the upper safety limit for recreational use.
Not all public swimming areas in Saskatchewan are monitored. Testing decisions are based on historical data, popularity and environmental health assessments, according to the Healthy Beaches website. This approach allows health officials to focus resources on beaches that pose the highest potential health risks.
For the most up-to-date advisories, visit the Healthy Beaches Program website, operated by the Government of Saskatchewan.
