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How do I know if fecal bacteria is high at my beach?

It’s not always easy to tell if your favorite beach has high fecal bacteria, but with a few tools, you can become a poop detective!

• Check today’s Beach Status to find out if there is an advisory posted at your beach or a beach nearby.

• Check to see if there was ever an advisory issued, and why, on the historical notification list.

• Check the historical monitoring results to see what the results have been in the past through Beach Query.

Ask yourself:

• Has it rained recently? Bacteria results tend to be higher following heavy rain, particularly after a long dry spell.

• Are there potential contamination sources nearby, such as a sewage treatment plant, septic systems, outfall pipes, or an agricultural center?

• Is it a small enclosed bay with fine sediment? Small enclosed bays such as Dyes Inlet in Kitsap County or Eld Inlet in Thurston County tend to have higher bacteria levels than places with fast moving water such as Alki Point in Seattle.