Elbow River contamination warning in Calgary expanded

Calgarians are being warned not to swim or wade in the Elbow River between Sandy Beach and Ninth Avenue S.E. due to elevated levels of fecal coliforms.

Alberta Health Services issued the warning Friday, which is an expansion to a warning issued early in July of high levels of fecal coliforms in the river between 25th Avenue S.W. and Ninth Avenue S.E.

The high levels were detected during routine testing and can cause skin, ear and eye infections.

• Elbow River near Stampede grounds not safe for swimming or wading, say health officials

The public is also warned not to drink water from the affected areas as water-borne organisms, including fecal coliforms, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Signs have been posted at the affected areas.

Medical officer of health Dr. Jason Cabaj told the CBC last month that recent storms combined with people and their pets were a possible cause for the contamination.

AHS environmental public health officers will continue to monitor the water.

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