The growing number of people living aboard boats in Brentwood Bay is being blamed for an increase in bacteria in the waters that has led to warnings about swimming at a popular beach.

Warning signs have been posted at Brentwood Bay Beach in Central Saanich, B.C., since June due to high levels of enterococci, a bacteria found in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. The bacteria can also be caused by tide changes, heat and rainfall runoff.

Michael Simmons, vice-president of the Saanich Inlet Protection Society, says the number of “live-aboards” who inhabit the bay has increased over the years and the bacteria is