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Our vision: A safe and healthy Kitsap County for all.

Water Contact Advisories

Water Pollution Identification & Correction

Shellfish Safety
Shellfish Harvesting Advisories
Swimming Beach Monitoring
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Water Quality Advisories
Water Quality
Reports

The Kitsap Public Health District's Water Pollution Identification & Correction (PIC) program protects public health and prevents fecal pollution in Kitsap County surface waters. 

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Health District staff sample dozens of streams and swimming beaches across the county for fecal bacteria, an indicator of fecal pollution caused by human or animal waste. Fecal pollution can carry viruses and harmful bacteria that make people sick.

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We use water sampling results to notify the public of potential health risks, and to find and fix fecal pollution problems. This helps keep our streams, swimming beaches and shellfish beds safe and healthy for the public to enjoy.

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Read the 2023 Water Quality Monitoring Report

Sign Up to Get Advisories by Email or Text

Current Advisories

Active swimming beach, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), and sewage spill advisories are listed below. For shellfish advisories, see our shellfish safety page. 

Swimmer's Itch

Location:

All Lakes

Start Date:

September 23, 2024

Status:

Active

Swimmer's Itch (cercarial dermatitis) is caused by an allergic reaction to a parasite.


Swimmers should wear waterproof sunscreen and shower or vigorously towel-off immediately after swimming in a lake.

  • This list displays water contact advisories that were removed (expired) in the current calendar year. These advisories are no longer in effect. Check the list above for active advisories.

    Portion of Liberty Bay/Keyport shoreline

    Advisory:

    Sewage Spill Advisory

    Start Date:

    December 2, 2024

    Date Removed:

    December 8, 2024

    Status:

    Removed

    Kitsap Lake

    Advisory:

    Sewage Spill Advisory

    Start Date:

    November 17, 2024

    Date Removed:

    November 22, 2024

    Status:

    Removed

 

Shellfish advisories & safety

 

What is a no-contact advisory?

 

Can I get sick if I play or swim in the water?

 

Can my pet get sick if it plays or swims in the water?

 

Is it safe to boat, kayak or canoe in affected areas?

 

What should I do if I choose to boat, kayak or canoe?

 

Can I eat shellfish collected from the areas included in the advisory?

 

Will I get in trouble if I swim in an affected area during the advisory?

 

Is the smell at low tide caused by the sewer spill?

 

How long will the no-contact advisory be in effect?

 

Resources

Stay Informed: Subscribe to our water quality advisory text alert or email notifications. Follow us on Facebook!

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Water Quality Report

We monitor streams throughout Kitsap County to prevent water pollution and protect public health. View our yearly report to learn more about our work and the health of streams in your neighborhood.

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