Health unit says Rainy River unsafe to swim in at Hannam Park

Ken Johnston
Editor

Hannam Park has been posted as “Unsafe for Swimming” by the Northwestern Health Unit.

Following routine testing of the water at the Hannam Park beach last Thursday, Dave Coats the Public Health Inspector for the area posted the beach, as well as the Government Dock (Big Dock), with warning signs about the water.

The reason for concern stems from higher than acceptable levels of ecoli showing up in samplings. The tolerable level is 100 colonies per 100 ml of water. All samples taken were over 100 colonies, said Coats Friday.

The concern is that if someone were to swallow some of the water they could become very sick. Coats said the ecoli bacteria can cause Gastro Intestinal or upset stomachs.

He attributes the higher than normal counts to the higher water levels which in turn are resulting in more moving water.

The beach will remain posted until two clean samples have been returned. The first opportunity for that will present itself this Wednesday, however the water levels began rising again over the weekend following heavy rain last week.

While there is no legal ramifications for defying the posted warnings, Coats encourages the public not to swim there until it is lifted. For more information he can be reached at 274-9827.