Gene Coulon Beach, a popular swimming spot located at the southern end of Lake Washington, has been closed once again due to unsafe bacteria levels in the water. This marks the second closure this month, as King County officials work to address the ongoing issue.
Recent tests conducted on May 26 revealed that two-thirds of the sampled areas at the beach showed bacteria levels exceeding 320 colony forming units (CFU) per 100 milliliters of water. Specifically, Sample A recorded 350 CFU/100 mL and Sample C showed 690 CFU/100 mL, while Sample B was lower at 230 CFU/100 mL. These figures indicate a significant presence of biological waste, which can pose health risks to swimmers.
In comparison, tests from May 18 showed a much lower average of 27.66 CFU/100 mL, while the initial tests of the year on May 11 revealed alarmingly high levels, with an average of 5,033.33 CFU/100 mL and a peak of 14,000 CFU/100 mL in Sample C.
Efforts to Address Contamination
King County is actively investigating the sources of contamination, which may include waste from humans, pets, or wildlife. The county collaborates with local sewage utilities to identify potential leaks or spills contributing to the problem.
Beach managers are advised to implement several measures to reduce contamination. These include reminding visitors that dogs are not allowed at the beach, discouraging the feeding of geese and ducks near the water, and cleaning up goose droppings from docks. Additionally, strategies such as using shiny mylar strips to deter geese, renovating docks for better water circulation, and improving drainage near the beach are recommended.
Other nearby beaches, including Houghton Beach, Matthews Beach, Newcastle Beach, and Pritchard Island Beach, are also closed due to similar bacteria concerns. Regular testing of over two dozen lake beaches occurs annually from mid-May to mid-September to ensure public safety.
For more information on King County’s swimming beach data, residents can visit the county’s official website.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
