Edmonds Beaches Proposed for 'Fecal Matters' Monitoring

Last week's balmy weather has the Washington Departments of Ecology and Health eyeing this year's saltwater swimming BEACH (Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health) sampling program, it said.

The Washington BEACH Program is led jointly by the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health, and consists of county and local agencies, tribal nations, and volunteers.

The mission of the BEACH Program is to reduce the risk of disease for people who play in saltwater by:

• Monitoring bacteria levels at popular, high risk beaches. Monitoring can indicate pollution from sewage treatment plant problems, boating waste, malfunctioning septic systems, animal waste, or other sources of fecal pollution. It monitors for an indicator bacteria called “enterococci.” The presence of this bacteria at elevated levels means there is a potential for disease-causing bacteria and viruses to also be present.

• Notifying users when bacteria results are high or when a known pollution event, such as a sewage spill, has occurred.

• Educating the public about the risks associated with polluted water and what each of us can do to reduce that risk.

Water testing at saltwater swimming beaches runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the agency is proposing testing at the following Snohomish County beaches:

Edmonds Marina Beach Park
Edmonds Underwater Park
Howarth Park
Jetty Island
Kayak Point County Park
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park
Picnic Point County Park

Check out the proposed beach list for water testing during the upcoming 2013 season, and send your comments to the Interim Beach Program Manager, Christopher Clinton at christopher.clinton@ecy.wa.gov.

Stay updated about water quality at your beaches by keeping up with Ecology on its blog Fecal Matters, on Facebook, or join the listserv.

Source: BEACH Program