Keeping beaches safe
The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health (BEACH) Program ensures that marine water is safe to swim and play in and informs the public if water doesn't meet swimming standards. Sampling takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During this time, you can check out current water quality conditions on the swimming map.
Public Health – Seattle & King County sampled ten beaches weekly or biweekly in King County during the 2021 season.
See details on each beach below.
Alki Beach Park was sampled 12 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had one sampling event with elevated bacteria results. On August 23 results were in the advisory range, and subsequent samples showed bacteria levels were still elevated, which resulted in an advisory. This beach met the swimming standard for all other periods sampled.
Carkeek Park was sampled 12 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had one sampling event with elevated bacteria results. On June 28, results were in the advisory range, and subsequent samples showed bacteria levels were still elevated, which resulted in an advisory. This beach met the swimming standard for all other periods sampled.
Dash Point State Park beach was sampled 15 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had excellent water quality and met swimming standards during all periods sampled.
Golden Gardens beach was sampled 11 times during the 2021 swim season. On July 19, results were in the advisory range, but subsequent samples showed bacteria levels were in the safe swimming range. This beach met the swimming standard for all other periods sampled.
Lincoln Park beach was sampled 9 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had very good water quality, meeting swimming standards during all periods sampled.
Redondo County Park beach was sampled 15 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had one sampling event with high bacteria results. On June 30, results were elevated, which resulted in an advisory. This beach met the swimming standard for all other periods sampled.
Richey Viewpoint beach was sampled 11 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had very good water quality, meeting swimming standards during all periods sampled.
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park was sampled 11 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had excellent water quality, meeting swim standards during all periods sampled.
Saltwater State Park beach was sampled 15 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had one sampling event with high bacteria results. On June 30, results were elevated, which resulted in an advisory. This beach met the swimming standard for all other periods sampled.
Seahurst Park Beach was sampled 11 times during the 2021 swim season. This beach had very good water quality, meeting swim standards during all periods sampled.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at King County beaches in relation to the EPA swimming standard or saltwater swimming criteria. Beaches are considered unsafe for swimming when the geometric mean of enterococcus/100 mL of water is greater than or equal to 30 and the statistical threshold value of enterococcus/100 mL is greater than or equal to 110. We issue a public swimming advisory when enterococcus levels exceed 104 per 100 mL of water.
Table: Calculated geometric mean and statistical threshold value at King County beaches (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2021.
|
Beach
|
GM
|
STV
|
|
Alki Beach Park
|
20
|
58
|
|
Carkeek Park
|
27
|
340
|
|
Dash Point State Park
|
11
|
17
|
|
Golden Gardens
|
24
|
151
|
|
Lincoln Park
|
19
|
47
|
|
Redondo County Park
|
16
|
42
|
|
Richey Viewpoint
|
24
|
47
|
|
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
|
13
|
23
|
|
Saltwater State Park
|
21
|
73
|
|
Seahurst Park
|
17
|
35
|