No-contact advisory issued for Pomeroy Park swimming beach
Kitsap County sent this bulletin at 05/23/2019 03:19 PM PDT
May 23, 2019
KITSAP COUNTY, WA
Advisory issued for Pomeroy Park swimming beach due to high bacteria levels
The public is advised to avoid all contact with the water until further notice.
Kitsap Public Health District issued a no-contact advisory May 23 for the Pomeroy Park swimming Beach in Manchester due to high levels of Enterococci bacteria in the water.
Elevated Enterococci levels mean there is an increased risk of people and animals getting sick, so the public is advised to avoid all contact with the water at the swimming beach until further notice. Pets should also be kept out of the water. Warning signs have been posted at the beach.
The health district recommends against swimming, wading, or any other activities at the beach that could allow water to be swallowed or get into the mouth, nose or eyes. People should avoid direct skin contact if possible and immediately wash with soap and water if they have exposure to the water.
The health district will continue to monitor for Enterococci at the Pomeroy Park and will lift the advisory when there is no longer an elevated risk to the public. No illnesses related to the Pomeroy Park beach have been reported to the health district at this time.
The advisory level for Enterococci is an arithmetic mean value of 104 MPN per 100 milliliters. For samples taken May 22 at the Pomeroy Park swimming beach, the mean was 211 MPN per 100 milliliters.
MPN per 100 milliliters is a unit of measure and stands for the "most probable number" of bacteria colonies that grow in a 100 milliliter sample.
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 the health district can investigate and take action, if necessary.
Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer Kitsap Public Health District 345 6th St., Suite 300 | Bremerton, WA 98337 (360) 728-2330 Office | (360) 728-2235 Main pio@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org
