PORT HADLOCK — A portion of the Chimacum Creek Tidelands in Irondale Beach Park has been closed to recreational uses because of a high level of E. coli bacteria discovered in the creek.
The state Department of Health has closed the tidelands south of Chimacum Creek to recreational shellfish harvesting and recommends that no one swim or wade in the creek or on the beach.
“Average bacteria counts were greater than 900 units per 100 milliliters, nine times greater than the state water quality standard,” for E. coli (Escherichia coli), said Michael Dawson, water quality manager for Jefferson County, on Friday.
Warning signs have been posted at the beach, the stream and the parking lot, he said.
E. coli bacteria are from fecal contamination from warm-blooded animals, including people.
They indicate the possible presence of pathogens that can make people sick from contact with the water or eating contaminated shellfish.
The bacteria were discovered by regular monitoring conducted by Jefferson County Public Health.
Investigation of potential sources of the bacteria is underway.
Failing septic systems could be a source of contamination, health officers say.
All residents are urged to have an Operations and Monitoring inspection of their onsite septic system to insure it is functioning correctly.
A similar closure occurred in the area in 2013. After some septic repairs were completed, the creek bacteria improved, Dawson said.
For more information about septic monitoring, see www. jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/659/Operation-Monitoring-OM or call 360-385-9444.
To find out which areas are safe to harvest shellfish in Washington state, check the map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
BEACH program monitoring results are posted at ecology.wa.gov.
