Water quality advisory issued for Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park

WARNER COUNTY - Due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is advising the public to avoid all exposure to the water in the Milk River at the Writing on Stone Provincial Park beach, effective immediately.

Elevated levels of fecal bacteria were detected via testing of the river water at this beach location. At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water at this beach at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. As well, there is the possibility of skin, ear and eye infections with water contact.

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake or reservoir, at any time. Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

AHS Environmental Public Health officers will continue to monitor the water at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.

This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres and health centres across the province. Our mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.