Swimming warning in place for Larrabee State Park, Wildcat Cove
Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) issued a warning on Friday, urging the public to avoid swimming at Larrabee State Park and Wildcat Cove because of elevated bacterial pollution.
The bacterial pollution could be a sign of the presence of pathogens like norovirus and harmful strains of E. coli in the water, according to WCHCS. Young children and people with chronic illnesses are at the highest risk of getting sick from wading or swimming in these waters.
Potential pollution sources include animal and human waste. Recent findings from Environment America Research and Policy Center show that about 76% of tested Washington state beaches showed potentially unsafe fecal-contamination levels on at least one testing day last year.
Aside from Little Squalicum Park, no other beaches monitored by the Washington State Department of Ecology in Whatcom County are closed due to high levels of bacteria. Signs will remain posted at Larrabee State Park and Wildcat Cove until water quality standards are met again.