A popular swimming destination in the southeast has a higher bacteria presence than normal.

If you have gone swimming at St. Malo Beach in recent days you will have likely noticed yellow advisory signs dotting the beachfront. Manitoba Sustainable Development says these notices are erected when the water exceeds the province's recreational water quality objective of 200 E. coli per 100 millilitres.

“It is not a very common occurrence to have water warnings at St. Malo Provincial Park,” they explain in an email to Pembina Valley Online.

While most swimmers will not become ill from these increased levels of E. coli, the risk of water-borne illness is greater than usual.

It is recommended that those who choose to swim at St. Malo beach wash their hands afterward and avoid swallowing the water or swimming with open wounds.

Manitoba Sustainable Development expects that these rare conditions will return to normal shortly. In the meantime, concerned residents are encouraged to visit www.manitoba.ca/beaches where recreational water testing information is routinely posted.

This sign can be seen posted on the St. Malo beachfront.