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 Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department sampled seven beaches weekly in Pierce County during the 2021 season.
See details on each beach below.
Dash Point Metro Park beach was sampled 16 times during the 2021 sampling period. On June 21, samples were in the advisory range, but subsequent sampling showed that bacteria levels were in the safe swimming range. All other sampling events met the swimming standard.
Jack Hyde Park beach was sampled 16 times during the 2021 sampling period. On July 12, samples were in the advisory range, but subsequent sampling showed that bacteria levels were in the safe swimming range. All other sampling events met the swimming standard.
During the 2021 monitoring season, Purdy Sandspit County Park beach was sampled 15 times. This beach had very good water quality, meeting the swimming standards for all periods sampled.
During the 2021 monitoring season, Ruston Way Waterfront Park beach was sampled 15 times. This beach had very good water quality, meeting the swimming standard during all periods sampled.
Sunnyside Beach Park was sampled 15 times during the 2021 sampling season. This beach had excellent water quality, meeting the swimming standard for all periods sampled.
This beach was preemptively closed due to a sewage spill into Flett Creek, from July 21 to August 19.
Titlow Park beach was sampled 16 times during the 2021 sampling season. Results from two sampling events were in the advisory range. On June 7 and June 28, bacteria levels were elevated, but subsequent sampling showed that results were in the safe swimming range. All other sampling events met the swimming standard.
Data summary: Bacteria results compared to standards
The chart below summarizes the bacteria levels at Pierce 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 Pierce County beaches (in enterococcus per 100 mL) for 2021.
|
Beach
|
GM
|
STV
|
|
Dash Point Metro Park
|
14
|
40
|
|
Jack Hyde Park
|
20
|
44
|
|
Purdy Sandspit County Park
|
12
|
26
|
|
Sunnyside Beach Park
|
12
|
20
|
|
Titlow Park
|
29
|
79
|
|
Waterfront Dock/ Ruston Way
|
13
|
24
|
|
Browns Point Lighthouse Park
|
13
|
32
|