Environmental Health Officers assess and inspect public/commercial swimming pools and hot tubs for compliance with health standards and for the health and safety of you and your family.
Environmental Health Officers also work with local governments and agencies providing oversight of beaches to monitor water quality at popular public beaches.
Beach sampling for the summer of 2022 has now ended. Sampling will begin again mid-May 2023.
Each summer, Environmental Health Officers review water quality results from samples taken at popular beach areas by Local Government.
Sample results from 2022 are posted, however sample results are most predictive of water quality for two days after the sample date.
North Vancouver Island Beach Sampling Results
Central Vancouver Island Beach Sampling Results
South Vancouver Island Beach Sampling Results
The Current Beach Advisories table below is based on the most recent results available from Fall of 2021. It will be updated once we have new results to support any decisions to lift an existing advisory or confirm that an advisory should remain in effect.
| Name | Location | Date | Reason |
| Art Mann Park | Duncan | Permanent | Long standing high levels of bacteria. |
Beaches are monitored to protect swimmers from illnesses that may be linked to unacceptable levels of bacteria. Swimming in contaminated water can result in increased risk of ear, nose and throat infections or gastrointestinal illnesses.
Environmental Health Officers select beaches where use levels may warrant regular sampling and apply a standardized risk assessment tool to determine whether sampling should be recommended and to set the recommended frequency.
Each beach is assessed by an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) based on usage, previous sample results and potential sources of contamination. Once beaches have been assessed, a recommended sampling frequency is made based on the following:
HIGH – Sampled weekly
MODERATE – Sampled every two weeks
LOW – Sampled monthly
VERY LOW – Not sampled unless EHO believes it is necessary to do so
Beach sampling generally begins in mid-May, so that results are available in advance of May Long weekend, and runs through until Labour Day.
We test for indicator bacteria. Indicator bacteria are used to identify the presence of fecal contamination and provide an indication of the potential risk associated with swimming in that location. The indicator bacteria used depends on the type of water sampled. E. coli is used at fresh water beaches and Enterococci is used at salt water beaches.
Beach advisories are recommended by Island Health when a sample result of over 1000 E. Coli or 175 Enterococci per sample is received, as studies indicate there is an elevated risk associated with these bacterial levels. A beach advisory will also be considered when:
To recommend a beach advisory, our Environmental Health Officers will contact the local governments or agency providing oversight of the beach so that a warning sign can be posted to advise the public that the water may be unsafe for swimming. Public beaches are not technically “closed” to public access when an advisory is in place.
250-331-8518
250-755-6215
250-737-2010
250-519-3401
Under the BC Pool Regulation, any person constructing a pool (Public, Commercial, Hot tub, Wading, or Spray) must first apply for and receive a construction permit. To apply for a construction permit, an application accompanied by the plans and specifications, sealed and certified by an engineer or architect, must be submitted to the local health protection office.
Submission must include:
In order to open a pool to the public, an operating permit must be issued by an Environmental Health Officer. To apply for an operating permit, an Application for a Recreational Water Facility form must be completed and submitted to the local health protection office.
The Environmental Health Officer will conduct an initial inspection and, if satisfied that the operation of the pool will not likely constitute a health hazard, issue an operating permit.
Please keep in mind that a permit to operate is not transferable. If you are the new owner or operator of a pool, you must apply for a new permit and must not operate the pool until a permit has been issued to you.
Recreational Water Facility Inspection Reports
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) inspect public and commercial pools, hot tubs, spray pools and wading pools (referred to collectively as ‘pools’) to assess compliance with the Public Health Act Pool Regulation. The regulation requires operators to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in and around the pool and throughout the surrounding facilities to protect public health and prevent injury.
The Hazard Rating typically represents the relative level or degree of hazard associated with a pool, as determined by an EHO after conducting an inspection. An EHO may alter the Hazard Rating based on a poor compliance history or other risk factor associated with the pool or with the operator.
In general, the Hazard Rating describes the condition of a pool at the time of inspection as follows:
No critical violations were found and there is a low probability of risk to pool patrons. The operator demonstrates an understanding of any identified or potential hazard as well as a willingness to comply fully with the legislation.
One or more critical violations or a combination of non-critical violations were observed that may put pool patrons at risk of injury or disease. The operator demonstrates an understanding of the identified hazards and shows a willingness to make any necessary improvements that will bring the facility into compliance.
The EHO observed critical violations, or a combination of critical and non-critical violations, which put pool patrons at significant risk of injury or disease. Further, the operator may not demonstrate an understanding of identified hazards, and there may or may not be a willingness to comply. The file may demonstrate a pattern of historical non-compliance, complaints or illness/injury investigations implicating the facility.
Whenever a moderate or high hazard rating is assigned, the EHO will direct the pool operator to control the associated risk to pool patrons in a timely manner. If necessary, the EHO will close the pool until it can be used safely. Long term improvements must be implemented to facilitate ongoing compliance with the legislation and with industry expectations regarding safe pool water disinfection and treatment, injury prevention and sanitation practises.
