Pierce County BEACH report

We sampled seven beaches weekly in Pierce County during the 2024 monitoring season:

  • Dash Point County Park
  • Jack Hyde Park
  • Purdy Sandspit County Park
  • Sunnyside Beach Park
  • Titlow Park
  • Owen Beach
  • Ruston Way Waterfront Park

Owen Beach in Pierce County

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 2024 season.

See details on each beach below.


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 2024.

Beach GM STV
Dash Point County Park 19 117
Jack Hyde Park 40 120
Purdy Sandspit County Park 14 40
Sunnyside Beach Park 14 31
Titlow Park 34 112
Owen Beach       10     16
Ruston Way Waterfront Park 21 53