As another stretch of warm weather approaches, West Vancouver residents will finally be able to cool off in the water after several popular beaches were declared safe for swimming on Thursday.
Vancouver Coast Health lifted a warning advising beach goers to stay out of the water after test results showed E. coli bacteria levels at Ambleside, Dundarave and Sandy Cove beaches are back within acceptable levels.
Municipal crews were out Thursday taking down signs at those three beaches that had warned swimmers of potential health risks.
Coliform counts at the three beaches ranged from 151 to 180 in the latest test results - bringing them back below 200, considered the highest level acceptable for swimming. Water at Eagle Harbour and Whytecliff Park have higher coliform counts, however, and are still considered unsafe for swimming.
The opening of West Vancouver's beaches comes just in time for the weekend, when temperatures in the Lower Mainland are expected to shoot up again under sunny skies.
Uncharacteristically high E. coli levels in July and August have resulted in beach closures in areas of West Vancouver not normally affected by the problem. Making matters worse, the closures have also coincided with the hottest weather of the summer.
Officials still don't know what caused the spike in E. coli levels.
Jeff McDonald, spokesman for the municipality, said the news the no-swimming advisories have been lifted is certainly welcome for West Van residents.
"When you spend time on the beaches it's pretty natural to want to spend time in the water," he said.
