Gene Coulon Beach in King County has been closed for the third time this year due to high bacteria levels in the water. According to tests conducted on June 15, 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.

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.

What the County is Doing

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.

Other measures include cleaning up goose poop from docks to keep it out of the water at the swimming area, reducing the number of geese near the beach, renovating docks to allow more water circulation through the beach area, improving drainage in the park area near the beach, and reducing waste getting into streams near beaches.

Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.