HOLLYWOOD BEACH IN Port Angeles is closed again because of high levels of bacteria.
Also closed: the touch tanks at Feiro Marine Life Center on City Pier. The tanks use seawater drawn from Port Angeles Harbor.
The closure is less than a month after it reopened after a Fourth of July weekend closure.
Sue Waldrip, environmental health specialist, said testing Thursday morning revealed the possible presence of human fecal matter.
As with last month’s closure, Waldrip said, the source of the enterococcus bacteria was a mystery.
Health specialists will test the water again at 10:30 a.m. Friday. If bacteria levels are acceptable, the beach will be reopened.
If they are not, it will be Monday before the water will be tested again, and the beach will remain closed through the weekend.
The beach was last closed from July 2 until July 7.
The Clallam County Health and Human Services Department, Environmental Health Division, said people should not swim or wade in the water.
Melissa Williams, director of the Feiro Marine Life Center, said the center will shut its touch tanks.
“We will have free youth admission today and hope that tomorrow’s (friday’s) test results are acceptable,” she said on Facebook.
“Today would be a great day to engage with our exhibits through art!”
