Manitoba Clean Beaches Program
Each summer, thousands of bathers enjoy Manitoba's refreshingly cool waters and fine sandy beaches. Manitoba Agriculture's Water Quality Management Section, in conjunction with Manitoba Health, routinely monitor about 60 beaches across Manitoba each season. A large number of popular beaches are located within easy commuting distances from major population centres. Included are the many kilometres of beaches along both the east and west shores of Lake Winnipeg and beaches located in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. Many beaches are also located throughout other regions of Manitoba, and are associated with provincial campgrounds or privately owned facilities. Manitoba Provincial Parks also have an abundance of beautiful beaches. Spend time at these popular spots and savour a sunny summer tradition.
Manitoba Agriculture and Resrouce Development, in conjunction with Manitoba Health, has developed the Manitoba Clean Beaches Program to provide valuable information to you and your family on how to protect our beautiful beaches and reduce health risks. Water quality at beaches can be affected by both man-made pollutants and natural characteristics. Many jurisdictions, including Canada and Manitoba, have recreational water quality objectives in place to protect public health and to ensure pleasant bathing experiences.
The Manitoba Clean Beaches Program includes the following components:
- Information brochures on how bathers can protect the beach and themselves.
- Information signage at the major beaches in Manitoba.
- Focused research to identify sources of E. coli contributed to Lake Winnipeg.
- Continued monitoring of Manitoba's beaches and reporting of results.
Protect the Beach
The following beach hygiene tips will help keep our beaches clean:
- Please don't feed the shore birds. Gulls can quickly become accustomed to eating and residing on the beach.
- Don't litter or discard food on the beach. Dispose of trash in proper receptacles.
- Clean up after your pets. Pets are not allowed on provincial park beaches and on most beaches in rural municipalities.
- Change diapered children frequently and away from the water's edge.
- Never bury waste in the sand.