Storm water overflows pose health risk on Victoria shoreline

Residents are being warned to stay away from beaches along the eastern shoreline of Greater Victoria because of sewage overflows.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority issued a public health advisory Wednesday afternoon.

Heavy rain combined withquickly melting snow caused overflowsin the region's sewer infrastructure, said Larisa Hutcheson, a senior operations manager with the Capital Regional District.

"We did have quite a number of overflows from the east coast," she said Wednesday.

"That trunk sewer system runs along the east coast of Victoria from eastern Saanich through Oak Bay and then all the way to Clover Point."

Residents are advised to avoid swimming or wading in waters along the eastern coastline.

"Anything that is flushed down toilets may end up along our shore as a result of the storm event," said Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical health officer of the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

"These discharges of human waste are of public health concern. Appropriate signs are being posted and will remain in place as long as the risk persists," he said.