UPDATE: Holy moly, Harrison Lagoon's got E.coli – beach area now closed by municipality
Area remained open over the weekend despite a sample found to be 60 times over acceptable limit on Friday, but by Monday the village closed it to swimming
Updated June 18, 2025 with comment from Fraser Health and news from Village of Harrison Hot Springs
Anyone thinking about cooling off on warm days in Harrison Lagoon might want to reconsider as E.coli levels measured in recent testing was through the roof.
Despite a single sample coming it at 60 times higher than acceptable, Fraser Health had the lagoon on Harrison Lake in Harrison Hot Springs listed as "open to swimming" with the caveat that resampling is in progress. That from a posting on June 16, 2025, with results taken on June 13, 2025.
Later that same day, however, the beach operator, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, announced the beach lagoon was closed to swimming.
The single sample number of 14,500 E.coli/100 ml compares to the next worst level right next to the lagoon at Harrison Lake beach at 220 E.coli/100 ml. The vast majority of beaches in the Fraser Health region are double digits, most at 10 or 6. All four beaches tested at Cultus Lake came in at 5 E.coli/100 ml.
An interactive map of the status of beaches in Fraser Health area
"When the single sample limit of 235 E. coli/100ml (Beach Action Value) is exceeded, a resample protocol is initiated," according to Fraser Health's website. "The beach operator will be requested to collect and test additional sample as soon as possible. The beach will remain open to swimming pending further investigation and confirmation of test results."
When the level surpasses 400 E.coli/100 ml "an assessment of the potential health risks determines the most effective approach to protecting public health is posting an advisory."
Essentially, when they get a test higher than 400 they keep the beach open and do more testing.
I asked Fraser Health media relations on June 16 why the beach had not been closed and was told on June 18 that such closures are a responsibility of the beach operator, in this case the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. When a bad test comes in, Fraser Health advises them to test again.
"Consecutive samples of the water at Harrison Lagoon have shown increased levels of E.coli," the spokesperson told me via email today (June 18, 2025). "We have been in contact with the Village of Harrison [sic], who have issued a swimming advisory to their community on our recommendation. A swimming advisory is posted when users may have a higher risk of getting sick from gastrointestinal and skin/eye infections when they engage in primary contact recreational activities, such as swimming."
The village's website now does have a notice of the closure posted.
"Please be advised of an emergency event impacting the health and safety of beach users," the post says. "Water does not meet Fraser Health standards for swimming or wading. The Lagoon and beach areas are closed until further notice."
Since I asked the question, Fraser Health's website now has an advisory of the closure changed from "open to swimming." It also updated the recording of 14,500 E.coli/100 ml, which was not posted on Monday.
E. coli is a bacterium that is commonly present in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals and humans. The main cause of E. coli in water is from human fecal matter, usually from sewage systems. The large numbers of Canada Geese flocks often present in the area is a constant source of complaints and can contribute to high levels.
Examples of possible illness from E.coli include stomach upset, ear infection, sore throat or wound infection.
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Paul J. Henderson
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