Fecal Matters

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, our scientists and BEACH partners sample public beaches on marine waters for bacterial contamination. We collect water samples from high-use beaches to test for fecal bacteria and let the public know when beaches are closed due to health concerns.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, our scientists and BEACH partners sample public beaches on marine waters for bacterial contamination. We collect water samples from high-use beaches to test for fecal bacteria and let the public know when beaches are closed due to health concerns.

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Fecal Matters: Saltwater State Park in King County is closed due to a sewage spill
Public Health - Seattle and King County issued a closure to water contact at Saltwater State Park due to a sewage spill upstream from the beach.
Fecal Matters:
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has lifted the no water contact advisory near Les Davis Pier along Ruston Way.
Fecal Matters: Closure to water contact near Les Davis Pier, Pierce County
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has issued an advisory to avoid water contact near Les Davis Pier along Ruston Way due to a sewage spill. Signs have been posted to warn the public.
Fecal Matters: Saltwater State Park is now open to the public, King County
Seattle and King County Public Health have lifted the no-contact advisory to water contact at Saltwater State Park and Washington State Parks have re-opened the park to the public.
Latest health report on Washington beaches
See the good, the best, and the poopiest marine swimming beaches in our BEACH Program Annual Report.
Citizen science at Washington beaches

"Involving citizen science volunteers is vital to our monitoring program. Especially in smaller communities," said Julianne Ruffner, manager of Ecology's BEACH program.

Puget Sound officially a No Discharge Zone
Creating a No Discharge Zone (NDZ) helps protect shellfish beds, swimming beaches, and other areas that are especially vulnerable.
Beach poop is everyone's business

Swimming in fecal bacteria is not only gross but can make you sick.