Less than a week after re-opening, the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park swim area has been closed due to high bacteria levels in the water.

On Monday, Sept. 8, samples from Gene Coulon were tested and showed that bacteria levels are high at 175 bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. Due to these high bacteria levels, the county says that people — and their dogs — should stay out of the water.

When bacteria results are above 320 bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample water, that is when bacteria levels are considered high. If two of the three bacteria samples (labeled “Sample A,” “Sample B”and “Sample C”) are over the 320 bacteria/100 mL threshold, then the county will recommend the public to not swim in that water.

The bacteria levels indicate whether there is poop in the water from people, pets, or wildlife that can carry harmful germs, according to the website. The bacteria they test for is a harmless bacteria found in the poop of all warm-blooded animals and can allow them to predict the chance people will get sick from other germs that might be in the water.

For more information, visit the King County Swimming Beach Monitoring site at kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/water-recreation/swimming-beach-bacteria-temperature.