Surface Water Management Division
Marine Water Quality
The Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication & Health (BEACH) Program
What is the BEACH Program?
The BEACH Program involves The Washington State Department of Ecology, the Washington State Department of Health, and counties such as Snohomish. We monitor high-risk beaches that are frequented by swimmers for harmful bacteria. Monitoring can indicate pollution from sewage treatment plant problems, boating waste, malfunctioning septic systems, animal waste, or other sources of fecal pollution.
We monitor for an indicator organism called “enterococci.” If we find it at high levels in the water then the public is notified by:
1. Warning signs posted at the beach (external link)
2. Public Information Website - Department of Ecology (external link)
3. Join the listserv and be notified of beach warnings (external link)
When and how often do we monitor in Snohomish County?
We monitor water every week starting at the end of May until the middle of September at the following beaches in Snohomish County:
Edmonds Marina Beach
Edmonds Underwater Park
Picnic Point Park
Howarth Park
Kayak Point
Results of the monitoring at these beaches (external link)
Do people really get sick from just swimming?
Yes, many illnesses can result from swimming in contaminated water. The most common symptom of a water related illness is diarrhea. Other symptoms include vomiting, sinus infections, stomach ache, and other flu like symptoms. Other symptoms include skin, eye, ear, respiratory and wound infections. For more information on parasites, bacteria and illnesses, see the Department of Health website (external link) and the Center of Disease Control Healthy Swimming website (external link).
If you are sick and believe it is the result of swimming in contaminated water, see your physician immediately. Then use the Department of Ecology’s Beach Survey Form (external link) to tell them what beach may have caused your illness.
Contact
Kathleen Herrmann, Marine Steward, 425-388-6414
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