Fecal Matters: The "No Water Contact Advisories" for Marine Beaches in King and Kitsap County have been Lifted.

BEACH Program Update

The closures to swimming and wading that were issued at marine beaches in King County and the eastern shoreline of Bainbridge Island ended on 2/21/17. The closures, issued on 2/9/17, were due to a large sewage spill that resulted from an equipment failure at the West Point Treatment Plant. Subsequent sampling conducted by King County and the City of Bainbridge Island showed that bacteria levels are low and safe for water contact recreation. Closure signs at the beaches have been removed.

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.