July 8, 2022

KITSAP COUNTY, WA

Island Lake County Park swimming beach temporarily closed due to E. coli

The public is advised to avoid all contact with the water until further notice.

Today the Kitsap Public Health District temporarily closed the swimming beach at Island Lake County Park due to high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. The Health District will continue to monitor water quality at the beach and will reopen the swimming area when E. coli levels return to a level considered safe for human contact.

Because there is an increased risk of getting sick, the public is advised to avoid all contact with the water at the swimming beach 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, older adults, or anyone with a compromised immune system.

No illnesses have been reported to Kitsap Public Health at this time. 

SWIMMING BEACH MONITORING

During the summer months, the Kitsap Public Health District monitors 30 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.

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.   

SAMPLING RESULTS

The new closure level for E. coli is a geometric mean value (GMV) of 100 MPN/100 mL. For samples taken Thursday, July 7 at the Island Lake County Park swimming beach, the GMV was 249 MPN/100 mL.

MPN/100mL is a unit of measure and stands for the "most probable number" of bacteria colonies that grow in a 100 milliliter sample. 

RESOURCES: 

• Kitsap Public Health District water contact advisories
• Kitsap Public Health District swimming beach monitoring information
• Video: Monitoring for bacteria at swimming beaches
• Recreational water illnesses information

CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org