Maple Bay Beach is open again. Island Health lifted its advisory for the popular seaside park Friday, May 30, two weeks to the day after higher-thannormal bacteria levels caused health concerns.
"The latest bacteriological samples have come back with low bacteria counts consistent with past sampling at this beach," the agency said in a press release.
Swimming and wading were not recommended between May 16 and 30, and North Cowichan Parks and Recreation put up signs in the area to warn beach-goers.
Island Health monitors several beaches for bacteria counts on a monthly basis, and sampling will continue regularly at Maple Bay.
"The event has been a reminder to users of the area that users of the beach should keep the beach clean, in particular restricting pets, boats should discharge waste into proper septic systems, and residents should ensure septic disposal is working correctly and not resulting in contamination of lands or storm water systems," Island Health advised.