Public advised to avoid contact with water due to high bacteria levels.
Aug. 4, 2022
KITSAP COUNTY, WA
Advisories issued for Silverdale Waterfront Park and Lions Park swimming beaches due to high bacteria levels
The public is advised to avoid all contact with the water at these beaches until further notice.
Kitsap Public Health District issued no-contact advisories Aug. 4 for the Silverdale Waterfront Park and Lions Park swimming beaches due to high levels of Enterococci bacteria in the water.
High Enterococci levels mean there is increased risk of people getting sick, so the public is advised to avoid all contact with the water at the swimming beaches until further notice. Warning signs have been posted at the beaches.
The health district recommends against swimming, wading, or any other activities at the beaches 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 both beaches and will lift the advisory when there is no longer an increased risk to the public.
No illnesses related to either 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 Aug. 3 at the Silverdale Waterfront Park swimming beach, the mean was 949 MPN per 100 milliliters. For samples taken at Lions Park, the mean was 222 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 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 the health district can investigate and take action, if necessary.
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