Swimming advisory issued north of Birch Bay State Park

Update: The Birch Bay swimming advisory was lifted on June 13.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services Department (WCHCS) has put a swimming advisory in place for Birch Bay beach and tidelands north of Birch Bay State Park after high levels of fecal matter were found in the water during routine water sampling.

WCHCS issued a no-contact advisory on June 6 for people and animals near Birch Bay waters and sand. Signs have been set along the area to warn people to swim at their own risk, as high bacteria levels may cause illness.

Joshua Leinbach, WCHCS environmental health supervisor, said water quality results will be updated after more sampling is done later this week.

Birch Bay is one of several Whatcom County beaches where county health officials have recently issued no-contact advisories for the water and sand. Health officials are also recommending people and animals stay away from Taylor Dock at Boulevard Park, Larrabee State Park and Wildcat Cove, and Little Squalicum Beach, all in Bellingham.

“Look for signs before you participate in any beach activities because we don’t want people getting sick,” said Ron Warner, communications specialist at WCHCS.

Leinbach said there are several possible contributing factors to higher levels of fecal matter in the water. Heavy periods of rain, which increase stormwater runoff, often increase water pollution, and sources of fecal contamination could come from wildlife, pets, septic systems or sewage, he said.

Fecal contamination can cause stomach flu, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE). DOE recommends people who’ve been in contact with contaminated water shower after swimming and wash their hands after being in the sand as illness-causing bacteria can survive longer in sand than water.

DOE, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, local agencies and tribes, monitors marine water quality from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There aren’t enough resources to test every beach, so the program prioritizes popular swimming areas, Leinbach said.

WCHCS did not immediately have information on the last time Birch Bay had a no-contact advisory.

As of June 11, Marine Park in Bellingham was the only open Whatcom County beach  to pass the DOE’s water quality monitoring process.

The DOE recommends people should not swim at a public beach if they are sick or have a weakened immune system. They should also avoid swimming 24 hours after heavy rainfall or in an area where discharge pipes are visible. To reduce exposure, the DOE recommends people keep their heads out of the water, wear ear plugs and goggles, don’t swallow beach water, shower after swimming, avoid swimming with open cuts, and wash hands immediately after swimming.

DOE asks that anyone who believes they’ve become sick from swimming at a Whatcom County beach see a physician, and contact the DOE or the WCHCS to report the beach.

For more information on beach closures across Washington, visit the DOE website at bit.ly/3Xk0iWY.