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.
The Kitsap Public Health District sampled twelve beaches weekly in Kitsap County during the 2021 season.
See details on each beach below.
During the 2021 swim season, Arness County Park beach had very good water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Fay Bainbridge Park beach had excellent water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Illahee State Park beach had three sampling events with elevated bacteria results. On May 24 and July 6, sampling results exceeded the safe swimming standard. Subsequent samples were still elevated and advisories were issued. On June 28, sampling results exceeded the safe swimming standard, but subsequent sampling showed that results were back in the safe swimming range. This beach was sampled 17 times during the swim season, and all other sampling events met the safe swimming standard.
During the 2021 swim season, Indianola Dock beach had very good water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Joel Pritchard Park beach had very good water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Kitsap Memorial Park had one sampling event with elevated bacteria results. On July 12, sampling results exceeded the safe swimming standard, but subsequent sampling showed that results were back in the safe swimming range. This beach was sampled 16 times during the swim season, and all other sampling events met the safe swimming standard.
A shoreline survey was conducted at this beach on July 28.
During the 2021 swim season, Lions Field beach had one sampling event with elevated bacteria results. On July 6, sampling results exceeded the safe swimming standard. Subsequent sampling showed that results were still elevated, and this resulted in an advisory. This beach was sampled 16 times during the swim season, and all other sampling events met the safe swimming standard.
During the 2021 swim season, Point No Point Lighthouse Park beach had excellent water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Pomeroy Park beach had had one sampling event with elevated bacteria results. On May 24, sampling results exceeded the safe swimming standard, which resulted in an advisory. This beach was sampled 15 times during the swim season, and all other sampling events met the safe swimming standard.
During the 2021 swim season, Salsbury Point County Park beach had very good water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
A shoreline survey was conducted at this beach on July 28.
During the 2021 swim season, Scenic Beach State Park beach had very good water quality. This beach was sampled 15 times and met the swimming standard during all periods sampled.
During the 2021 swim season, Silverdale Waterfront Park beach had one sampling event with elevated bacteria results. On June 14, sampling results exceeded the safe swimming standard, but subsequent sampling showed that results were back in the safe swimming range. This beach was sampled 16 times during the swim season, and all other sampling events met the safe swimming standard.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at Kitsap 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 Kitsap County beaches (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2021.
|
Beach
|
GM
|
STV
|
|
Arness County Park
|
14
|
27
|
|
Fay Bainbridge Park
|
11
|
16
|
|
Illahee State Park
|
30
|
163
|
|
Indianola Dock
|
17
|
44
|
|
Joel Pritchard Park
|
17
|
50
|
|
Kitsap Memorial State Park
|
26
|
177
|
|
Lions Field
|
29
|
201
|
|
Point No Point Lighthouse Park
|
10
|
13
|
|
Pomeroy Park-Manchester Beach
|
16
|
44
|
|
Salsbury Point County Park
|
14
|
24
|
|
Scenic Beach State Park
|
14
|
31
|
|
Silverdale Waterfront Park
|
17
|
49
|