Fecal Matters: Marine Beaches from Golden Gardens to Alki Beach Park are CLOSED to Swimming, King County

BEACH Program Update

On 2/9/2017, King County Public Health issued a closure to swimming and wading for marine beaches from Golden Gardens to Alki Beach Park. This closure is due to an ongoing sewage discharge from the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle. Signs are being posted at public access points. Once the discharge as stopped, water quality samples will be taken. When fecal bacteria levels show to be in the safe range, King County will reopen the beaches. The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in the affected area until further notice.

Contact with fecal contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with us on our blog Fecal Matters, on Facebook, or join our listserv.

Julianne Ruffner, our BEACH Program Manager, is available at 360-407-6154 or julianne.ruffner@ecy.wa.gov for questions.