|
Why was Newcastle Beach closed?
The geometric mean for fecal coliform bacteria after routine sampling on July 26 was 237 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of waster (cfu/100 ml). Beaches are closed when the geometric mean is greater than 200 cfu/100ml, or results of a single sample of >1000 cfu/100ml. After a beach is closed three samples are collected across the beach. Re-sampling done on July 28 resulted in bacteria counts of 2000 cfu/100ml on the south end of the beach, 1600 cfu/100 ml in the middle (routine) sampling site, and 300 cfu/100ml at the north end of the beach.
What is the source of the bacteria at this beach?
Right now, our best guesses are the high number of bathers we’ve seen in the last several days, waterfowl, dogs brought to the beach and not cleaned up after, and possibly the sand at the beach. However, none of these sources has been identified.
When will the beach be reopened?
Additional samples were collected on Friday. If these samples and samples collected on Monday and Tuesday are low, the beach could reopen sometime late next week.
Read the Bellevue Parks Department press release regarding the Newcastle Beach closure.
|
