Castlegar closes Millennium Park swimming ponds after E. coli readings climb

Millennium Park’s natural swimming ponds in Castlegar are shown in April 2026. Ponds 2 and 3 remained closed Aug. 30 after water testing found elevated E. coli levels in part of the pond system.

City of Castlegar photo.

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Two of Castlegar’s natural swimming ponds at Millennium Park have been temporarily closed after routine testing found elevated E. coli levels in part of the pond system.

The City of Castlegar announced the closure Wednesday, Aug. 26, saying Civic Works crews identified potential water-quality concerns during routine testing. Ponds 2 and 3 will remain closed while crews flush the system with fresh water and await favourable test results.

Water samples collected Aug. 24 showed E. coli levels above the City’s listed individual-test limit of 235 colony-forming units per 100 millilitres in Pond 3 and at the system outflow.

Pond 3 recorded more than 300 CFU/100 mL, while the outflow measured 263 CFU/100 mL. Pond 2 tested at 125 CFU/100 mL.

Earlier August samples were considerably lower. On Aug. 10, Pond 2 measured 60 CFU/100 mL, Pond 3 measured 25 and the outflow measured 35.

The City said the ponds are being closed as a precaution while crews work to improve water conditions. New samples will be reviewed before the ponds reopen, with favourable results potentially coming as soon as next week.

“We apologize for any inconvenience the temporary closure may have on park visitors, but ensuring public safety is always our top priority when it comes to maintaining the natural ponds at Millennium Park,” Assistant Manager of Operations Crystal Bazar said in the City’s release.

“We’re monitoring water quality and look forward to reopening the ponds as soon as it's confirmed safe for swimming.”

Pond 1 has not opened during the 2026 season.

Earlier this year, the City said the upper pond would remain closed while it tested operational changes intended to reduce conditions associated with algae growth in the other ponds. The City also increased monitoring and continued measures intended to discourage Canada geese from gathering around the swimming area.

The City regularly tests water at the natural ponds and submits results to Interior Health for review. Its monitoring program follows the Canadian Recreational Water Guidelines.

As of Thursday evening, Aug. 27, the City had not announced a reopening date for Ponds 2 and 3.