People considering taking the plunge at the upcoming can rest assured the water seems to present no threat to health.

B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 met anybody whoB次元官网网址檚 not for swimming in the Gorge,B次元官网网址� said one of the eventB次元官网网址檚 organizers, Jack Meredith. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all excited about it, but then they immediately go to B次元官网网址榠s it clean?B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� People are concerned about that.B次元官网网址�

Preliminary lab tests by the Vancouver Island Health Authority show very low fecal coliform counts. Samples taken at Curtis Point and Banfield dock both show the water quality is well above the threshold established for safe swimming, said Erwin Dyck, VIHAB次元官网网址檚 supervisor of health protection. At the same time, he qualified that two samples arenB次元官网网址檛 enough for conclusive results.

VIHA will continue to test the water regularly until the big swim event Aug. 12.

Gorge Swim Fest takes place at three locations from noon to 4 p.m.: Banfield Park (in Vic West), Gorge Park (at Curtis Point in Saanich), and Gorge-Kinsmen Park (in Esquimalt).

The purpose of the festival is to re-introduce people to swimming in the Gorge B次元官网网址� which for decades in the early 20th century was an activity that attracted thousands of people throughout the region.

By the 1930s, pollution in the water discouraged most people from swimming. And despite two decades of clean-up efforts starting in the 1990s, few people have started swimming again.

Meredith hopes the festival will help to change that. Already, buzz about the event is starting to make people think differently about the Gorge.

Bob Gebbie, coach of a triathlon club called TriStars Training, took part in a promotional swim event recently. He said most club members spend an hour driving to and from Thetis Lake for training.

B次元官网网址淭he convenience of swimming in the Gorge, as well as utilizing the excellent run paths and biking routes, struck me,B次元官网网址� Gebbie said, in an email to the B次元官网网址.

The festival includes music, food and prizes. A photo contest is also underway where you can post swimming pictures in the Gorge for a chance to win trips on Helijet, Harbour Air, Black Ball Ferry and for whale watching. Submission deadline is Aug. 31.

Details can be found at gorgewaterway.ca/gorgeswimfest.htm or search Gorge Swim Fest on Facebook.

Water quality by the numbers

B次元官网网址� Recreational water-quality guidelines by Health Canada advise against swimming if the mean of five samples indicate fecal coliform levels higher than 200 cfu/100 ml (colony-forming units per 100 ml of water).

B次元官网网址� Measurements at Curtis Point indicate 3 cfu/100 ml at first sampling, and 6 cfu/100 ml at second sampling.

B次元官网网址� Measurements at Banfield dock indicate 5 cfu/100 ml followed by 32 cfu/100 ml.

Did you know?

B次元官网网址� The Gorge Swim Fest is a collaborative effort by community or residentsB次元官网网址� associations in Esquimalt, Vic West, Burnside-Gorge and Gorge-Tillicum. Organizers are still seeking volunteers. Visit www.gorgewaterway.ca/gorgeswimfest.htm for contact information.

rholmen@vicnews.com