Beach advisories for 4 of 12 monitored Ketchikan Beaches
August 09, 2020
Beach advisories were issued for four of twelve Ketchikan beaches for exceedance of Enterococci (above 130 MPN/100ml primary contact recreation).
The remaining 8 monitored beaches are below enterococci state recreation standards. The next Ketchikan Beach sampling is planned for Thursday August 13th. Sample results are expected to be available by Friday August 14th. The Alaska Beach program was initiated along the Ketchikan coastline to monitor fecal waste contamination during the 2017, 2018 and 2019 recreational seasons. The 2020 recreational season will be conducted May through September. Marine water samples are being collected at 12 monitoring sites in Ketchikan to evaluate potential health risks indicated by enterococci bacteria, and to notify the public when levels exceeded state standards. Past years of bacteria monitoring have shown elevated levels of bacteria along the Ketchikan coastline from several potential sources, including private and public sewer treatment systems, individual septic tanks, wildlife, pet feces, ferries, and private and commercial vessels. Exposure to fecal bacteria can cause illness in humans. Beachgoers are encouraged to wash their hands and shower after swimming or recreating in the water. Cook fish and shellfish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Avoid direct contact with water when bacteria advisories are in effect. The Alaska Beach Monitoring Program is part of a nationwide effort to decrease the incidence of water-borne illness at public beaches under the federal Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act. The Alaska Clean Water Actions (ACWA) Grant for this project is managed by the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition with sampling collection by the Ketchikan Indian Community.
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Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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