A popular beach near Victoria has been deemed unsafe for swimming after water samples came back with higher than usual levels of enterococci, a type of bacteria linked to "fecal contamination."Willows Beach, which is located in the District of Oak Bay, was placed under advisory "until further notice."According to Island Health, samples taken from Willows Beach at the foot of Estevan Ave. on August 6 came back with 7,800 enterococci per 100ml. The safe limit is between 35 and 70 per 100ml.Data showed that just a week earlier, there were only 10 enterococci per 100ml, and less than five for much of the past year. In fact the number of enterococci per 100ml has not gone above 200 since 2019."Recent water tests have indicated high levels of bacteria in the water at Willows Beach, which may pose a risk to health," the District of Oak Bay wrote in a post on Facebook. "The area is unsafe for swimming and other water contact activities until further notice."A similar notice was issued for nearby Bazan Bay Beach in North Saanich. Tests conducted on August 6 near Lochside Drive came back showing enterococci levels of 427 per 100ml.Warnings signs will be posted at the beach, as the water will still technically be open.
