Photo: CTV

E. coli contamination warnings at Vancouver beaches are becoming an embarrassment.

"It's kind of embarrassing that we're not taking care of the water better," a waterfront jogger said Monday. "When you come to a major city like this, you want to go into the water."

A group of Spanish tourists hoped to dip their toes in the Pacific Ocean, but were disappointed at Sunset Beach, one of four areas closed to swimming.

Advisories have been issued for Sunset, English Bay and Jericho Beach over the weekend, and Trout Lake has been closed for weeks.

It's not known what caused E. coli levels to spike, but Vancouver Coastal Health spokesman â€‹Dr. James Lu suspects an increase in boating activity and more people bringing their dogs to beaches are factors, combined with hot weather.

"With hot weather bacteria does grow, and it could be as simple as that," he said.

E. coli infection can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, mild fevers and stomach cramps.

– with files from CTV Vancouver