Esquimalt officials say the contaminated water in Gorge Creek found over the weekend was because of a deliberate dumping of a septic tank into a storm drain that contained a chemical.
Lab results have come in from Island Health and are confirming the presence of fecal coliform and e-coli, and other evidence also suggests the presence of a disinfecting chemical according to a release from the city.
According to Island health, there is no risk to human health on Gorge Waterway beaches but people and pet owners should avoid Gorge Creek Park until further notice.
Municipal staffs have traced the dumping upstream to the vicinity of Craigflower Road but have not pinpointed where the material was introduced.
The finding of the stinky water led to multiple containment booms being placed at Gorge Creek and the cancellation of the Gorge Swim Fest.