Sewage Spill Adds To Lake Washington Beach Closures

SEATTLE — A sewage spill Monday closed two Seattle beaches, adding to the growing list of swimming areas closed around Lake Washington ahead of the next round of heat. City and county officials urged swimmers and pets to avoid contact with water at Howell Park and Madrona Beach until further notice, along with the stretch of shoreline that runs between them.

Seattle Parks officials also urged people and pets to avoid the street-end parks at East Olive and East Pine streets.

The latest Seattle closures join four others around the lake that are currently closed due to elevated bacteria levels:

• Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park (Renton)
• Meydenbauer Bay Beach (Bellevue)
• Newcastle Beach (Bellevue)
• Matthews Beach (Seattle)

During closures, King County sends teams each week to re-test the water until bacteria levels decline to the acceptable range. Estimates for reopening the beaches impacted by the sewage spill were not immediately available. Residents can check for the latest closures on the county's website and sign up for email or text alerts.

The latest beach closures arrive just ahead of the next round of late summer heat, which is forecast to warm temperatures back near the 90s Wednesday and Thursday.