Gene Coulon Beach reopens for swimming | July 22

Gene Coulon Beach reopens for swimming | July 22

Published 12:49 pm Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Those searching for respite from this week’s excessive temperatures, rejoice: Gene Coulon Memorial Beach in Renton has re-opened for swimming.

According to the King County web site, the newest testing on July 20 reveals that Gene Coulon — essentially the most southern swimming seaside on Lake Washington — has decrease ranges of micro organism than the earlier week.

Data reveals that each one three sampled areas are under 320 colony forming items (CFU) per 100 milliliters of pattern water (>320 CFU/100 mL). CFU is a rely of the variety of micro organism, per 100 milliliters, and something larger than 320 CFU/100 mL is taken into account a excessive degree of micro organism and thus unsafe for swimming.

Sample A reveals 77 CFU/100 mL, whereas Samples B and C got here again with 24 CFU and 200 CFU.

The water at greater than two dozen lake seashores which are standard swimming spots are often examined for micro organism yearly from mid-May to mid-September. If water checks discover excessive CFU, it signifies that there are excessive ranges of organic waste from individuals, pets, or wildlife within the water, which may carry germs that make individuals ailing.

On July 13, the seaside closed for the fourth time this yr. Sample A confirmed 45 CFU/100 mL, Sample B confirmed 85 CFU/100 ml and Sample C confirmed 420 CFU/100 mL.

What the county does as soon as a seaside is closed

The county first tries to search out the supply of the excessive micro organism, which implies discovering the supply of waste moving into the water. Additional testing could also be utilized together with contacting native sewage utilities about attainable sewage leaks and spills.

When the supply of the excessive micro organism ranges are decided, the county will work with seaside managers to maintain poop out of the water, permitting swimmers to finally return.

According to the county web site, seaside managers can be suggested to do the next:

• Remind those who canines should not allowed on the swimming seaside, and geese and geese shouldn’t be fed close to the seaside.

• Clean up goose poop from docks to maintain it out of the water on the swimming space.

• Reduce the variety of geese close to the seaside, through the use of shiny mylar strips (“scare tape”) or specifically skilled canines.

• Renovate docks to permit extra water circulation by means of the seaside space.

• Improve drainage within the park space close to the seaside, to scale back micro organism washing into the lake close to the seaside.

• Reduce poop moving into streams close to seashores.

To study extra about King County’s swimming seaside information, go to kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/water-recreation/swimming-beach-bacteria-temperature.