Gene Coulon Memorial Beach, a popular swimming spot in King County, has been closed for the fifth time this year due to high bacteria levels in the water. According to tests conducted on July 27, the water samples at Gene Coulon show that 1/3 of the sampled areas are over 320 colony forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of sample water.

High Bacteria Levels

While Sample A and B show low levels at 260 CFU/100 ml and 240 CFU/100 mL, Sample C revealed 360 CFU/100 mL. The county says that people should stay out of the water if they do not want to get sick. The first testing of the year on May 11, showed that the tested bacteria was particularly high at an average of 5,033.33 CFU/100 mL, with Bacteria Sample C clocking in at 14,000 CFU/100 mL.

The water at more than two dozen lake beaches that are popular swimming spots are regularly tested for bacteria every year from mid-May to mid-September. If water tests find high CFU, it means that there are high levels of biological waste from people, pets, or wildlife in the water, which can carry germs that make people ill.

County Response

The county first tries to find the source of the high bacteria, which means finding the source of waste getting into the water. Additional testing may be utilized along with contacting local sewage utilities about possible sewage leaks and spills. When the source of the high bacteria levels are determined, the county will work with beach managers to keep waste out of the water, allowing swimmers to eventually return.

Beach managers will be advised to remind people that dogs are not allowed at the swimming beach, and geese and ducks should not be fed near the beach. They will also clean up goose waste from docks to keep it out of the water at the swimming area, reduce the number of geese near the beach, and renovate docks to allow more water circulation through the beach area.

Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.