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: Cormorant Cove beach is closed to water recreation, King County
On Jan. 10, 2023, Seattle Public Utilities issued a closure at Cormorant Cove beach in King County.
Fecal Matters: Burfoot County Park is now open for water recreation, Thurston County
Thurston County Public Health lifted the no-contact advisory at Burfoot County Park.
Weigh in on the 2021 beach list
The public comment period for the 2021 beach list runs from April 1 through 8.
Fecal Matters: Mukilteo Lighthouse Park and Des Moines Beach Park are now open for water recreation, Snohomish and King Counties
Mukilteo Lighthouse Park and Des Moines Beach Park are now open for water recreation.
Fecal Matters: No-Contact Advisories for Point Whitney Tidelands Beach, Jefferson County and Carkeek Park Beach, King County.
No-Contact Advisories for Point Whitney Tidelands Beach, Jefferson County and Carkeek Park Beach, King County.
Fecal Matters: No-contact advisory issued for Illahee State Park and Lions Field, Kitsap County
Kitsap Public Health District issued no-contact advisories for Illahee State Park and Lions Field.
Looking back and looking forward on our beach monitoring season

Every summer we monitor beaches for fecal bacteria to protect beachgoers. Read our 2023 BEACH Program report and send us feedback on the proposed list of beaches that will be monitored in 2024.

The scoop on monitoring for marine beach poop

View our safe swimming map for summer beach advisories and closures. Help us keep poop off the beach.