The public is advised to avoid all contact with the water until further notice
Today the Kitsap Public Health District temporarily closed the swimming beaches at Island Lake County Park, Island Lake Crista Camp, and Kitsap Lake Park due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water.
Since there is an increased risk of getting sick, the public is advised to avoid all contact with the water in those swimming areas until further notice. This means no swimming, wading, or types of water play where water could be swallowed or get in the mouth, nose or eyes. The risk of illness is greatest for young children, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
No illnesses have been reported to Kitsap Public Health at this time. This advisory follows acyanobacteria warningissued for Kitsap Lake and Long Lake on July 10.
SWIMMING BEACH MONITORING:
During the summer months, the Kitsap Public Health District monitors 34 fresh and salt water swimming areas for bacteria levels and sources, safety concerns, and toxic cyanobacteria (commonly known as toxic blue-green algae). If people or pets become sick after being in the water, or if you see an algae bloom or large numbers of dead fish, please report it online or by calling 360-728-2235 so Kitsap Public Health can investigate and take action, if necessary.
Water samples collected from the swimming beaches at Kitsap Lake and Island Lake on July 10 exceeded the Washington State Department of Health swimming beach closure levels for E.coli. High levels of E.coli bacteria can be caused by wildlife and pets in the water, people swimming when they are sick with diarrhea, a large number of swimmers, infants swimming without swim diapers, and/or and people entering the water without showering. The closure level for Ecoli: 126 CFU average/ 100 mL.
Kitsap Lake: 203.9 CFU average / 100 mL
Island Lake County Park: 690 CFU average / 100 mL
Island Lake Crista Camps: 652.2 CFU average / 100 mL
CFUs are a unit of measure and stand for Colony Forming Units which represents the number of colonies of bacteria that grow in a sample.
