Water contact & shellfish pollution ADVISORIES
Shorelines, lakes, STREAMS & SWIMMING BEACHES
All advisories listed below are currently active
SEE LIST OF ALL SWIMMING BEACHES MONITORED BY KITSAP PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT
Location |
Start Date |
Problem |
Water Contact Advisory |
Shellfish Advisory |
Public Notice/Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Kitsap County Lakes | Ongoing | Swimmer's Itch (cercarial dermatitis): 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. |
Not Applicable | Warning signs posted at all lakes Information (Centers for Disease Control) |
| Lofall Creek (Hood Canal) | Ongoing | Non-point pollution | No-Contact Advisory | Shellfish Harvesting closed 50 feet on either side of the mouth of the creek in the Hood Canal. | Public Health Advisories for Contaminated Streams |
SHELLFISH ADVISORIES & SAFETY: Visit our shellfish advisories page for additional information on shellfish marinebiotoxin and long-term pollution closures, and additional information on shellfish safety.
WHAT IS A NO-CONTACT ADVISORY?
During a no-contact advisory, the public is advised to avoid contact with the water in the affected area. This means the District recommends against swimming, wading, or types of water recreation or play where water could be swallowed or get in the mouth, nose or eyes. People should also avoid direct skin contact if possible, and immediately wash with soap and water if they have exposure to the water.CAN I GET SICK IF I PLAY OR SWIM IN THE WATER?
Yes, it is possible, but it's not a huge risk unless you ingest water or eat shellfish collected in the impacted area. If you have contact with the water, you should immediately wash your hands with soap and water.
CAN MY PET GET SICK IF IT PLAYS OR SWIMS IN THE WATER?
It is possible since animals can ingest water while swimming.
IS IT SAFE TO BOAT, KAYAK OR CANOE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS?
The answer to this question depends on two things: 1) How close are you to the location of the spill? and 2) How effectively can you avoid ingesting or coming into direct skin contact with the water? The greater your distance from the source of the spill, the less risk you'll have of coming into contact with contaminants associated with the spill. The closer you are to the source of the spill, the higher the risk of coming in contact with contaminants. The same reasoning applies to the level of risk associated with ingesting or coming into direct contact with the water --- the more likely you are to ingest or contact the water through your boating activity, the higher the risk of coming into contact with contaminants from the spill. Generally speaking, a No Contact Advisory is a recommendation from the Health District to avoid ingesting or having direct contact with the water since contaminants may be present.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CHOOSE TO BOAT, KAYAK OR CANOE?
You should wash your hands with soap and water and rinse your boat off after boating or kayaking in affected areas. Additionally, with small boats there is a risk of capsizing. If you do capsize, avoid ingesting water and shower thoroughly afterward.
CAN I EAT SHELLFISH COLLECTED FROM THE AREAS INCLUDED IN THE ADVISORY?
No. After a sewage spill or Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) you should not collect or consume shellfish from any part of the affected area. Additionally, crabbing or fishing activities in the affected area can increase the risk of exposure to pathogens.
WILL I GET IN TROUBLE IF I SWIM IN AN AFFECTED AREA DURING THE ADVISORY?
No. A no-contact advisory is an advisory or a recommendation. Because there is a risk of becoming sick, we are advising people to avoid contact with the water as a precaution, but there is no enforcement of the advisory.
IS THE SMELL AT LOW TIDE CAUSED BY THE SEWER SPILL?
Unless you are very close to the location of the source of a sewage spill (such as the broken pipe), is very unlikely you are smelling the sewer spill. The sewer-like smell that sometimes occurs during low tide, especially on hot summer days, is the bacteria decomposing seaweed on the shoreline.
HOW LONG WILL THE NO-CONTACT ADVISORY BE IN EFFECT?
Most advisories are in effect for 5 or 7 days after the sewage or CSO discharge stops. The duration of the advisory is determined by the volume of the sewage spill or CSO.
Download a copy of these FAQs.
Resources
- Kitsap County Swimming Beaches Page
- Learn more about how we evaluate sewage spills and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and our process for issuing advisories.
- Learn more about how we work year-round to identify and correct water pollution
- Washington Dept. of Health: Recreational Water Illnesses Information
- CDC: Healthy Swimming Information
- Department of Ecology: BEACH Program
Stay Informed: Subscribe to our water quality advisory text alert or email notifications.
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