Lake water testing engineer Ellie West will keep us informed about nasty E. coli levels at our beaches this summer! Ellie is an incoming sophomore at Bishop Blanchet. Check the town website for updates!

Throughout the summer, Ellie will test E.coli levels at Road End Beach Park weekly and post them on the Town website. When E. coli bacteria is high, it can cause problems for swimmers, such as ear, skin, eye, and respiratory infections, as well as gastrointestinal illness. It could also affect animals and pets swimming in the lake. High E. Coli bacteria presence can also indicate nutrient pollution, fecal contamination, water quality problems, and poor aquatic ecosystem health.

After a meeting with Dr. Daniel Nidzgorski, a King County Ecologist, we learned that the most common way E. coli bacteria make their way into the water in King County is from animal waste, specifically water fowl like ducks and geese. It is common for storms or heavy rains to wash animal waste into our lakes, especially with the stereotypical rainfall in the Seattle-Metro area.

For current water quality reports from King County, please visit this link. https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/water-recreation/swimming-beach-bacteria-temperature

August 1, 2025 Analysis:

This week’s test showed a significant drop in E. coli levels, now measuring 600 CFUs per 100 mL! This is a great improvement from recent weeks, which reached as high as 1000 CFUs. While the levels are still above the ideal range, this is a promising step toward better water quality, testing will continue to monitor any changes!

August 24, 2025 Analysis:

August 24th- This week’s test showed E. coli levels of 600 CFUs per 100 mL, matching recent county results and improving from earlier highs near 1000 CFUs. Levels are still above the safe range, but the trend shows progress, and testing will continue!