Fecal Matters: Closures for multiple beaches and others lifted

There are several beach closures that were caused by the estimated 3 million gallon sewage release in King County. Unrelated no-contact advisories are also going into effect and one beach advisory is being lifted. 

Ecology details about the spill are in our news release.

Updates will be made to this blog if additional closures or openings occur. Beach closures are also available on our beach map at ecology.wa.gov/beaches.

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.

Jefferson County: Multiple beach updates

Oak Bay County Park now open
Jefferson County Health Department has lifted the no-contact advisory at Oak Bay County Park. Analysis of water samples collected found bacteria levels were low and safe for water contact.

Fort Worden State Park under health advisory
Jefferson County Department of Heath issued a no-contact advisory to water recreation at Fort Worden State Park beach. This advisory is due to high levels of fecal bacteria in the water. 

Signs have been posted at the beach to warn the public. This beach is being re-sampled and the advisory will stay in effect until bacterial levels have dropped to safe levels.

King County: Multiple beaches closed to water contact

An estimated 3 million gallons of sewage was released by a King County wastewater treatment plant. This release has prompted several beaches to be closed to water contact until further notice.

Update at 2:47 p.m., July 22

King County reopens Discovery Park: News release 

Update at 3:30 p.m., July 19
King County has revised their list of beach closures to:

• Discovery Park: North and South Beach

We previously reported the following beach closures nine beach closures which is listed below.

Previously reported beaches were not closed with the exception of Discovery Park:  

• Alki Beach Park
• Carkeek Park
• Discovery Park: North and South Beach
• Elliott Bay Marina
• Golden Gardens Park
• Myrtle Edwards Park
• Pocket Park at 32^nd Ave. W. (also known as Magnolia Tidelands Park)
• Port of Seattle Terminal 91 
• Seacrest Park

Kitsap County: Multiple beaches closed to water contact

Update July 22: All Kitsap County beaches are open

Kitsap County Health has closed beaches to water contact because of the King County sewage release. Modeling conducted by the Washington Department of Health shows that sewage from the King County incident will reach Kitsap beaches. 

The following beaches are closed from July 19 - July 22:

• Fay Bainbridge Park
• Indianola Dock
• Joel Pritchard Park

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

Media can contact Camille St. Onge, communications, at 360-584-6501 or camille.st.onge@ecy.wa.gov for questions.