Bellingham park closed again because of E. coli

BELLINGHAM — A swimming area at Bloedel Donovan Park has been closed for a second time this summer because of unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria.

The park was closed yesterday after water samples taken on Saturday and Sunday showed high levels of E. coli.

The area will remain closed until the bacteria counts are below the unsafe level for three straight days, said Tom Rosenberg, the assistant public works director.

The federal safety standard for swimming water is 235 units of bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, Rosenberg said. A sample taken Saturday near the Lake Whatcom beach showed 350 units, and on Sunday the level was 280 units.

The presence of E. coli indicates fecal contamination, but city officials do not know the exact source of the bacteria, Rosenberg said.

City officials first closed the popular swimming area for 10 days in mid-July. At that time, they attributed the problem to young swimmers not yet potty-trained. Later, they suggested that the flushing of a small pond into the lake may have been a factor, since the pond may have been laden with goose droppings.

There have been no reports of people getting sick from swimming at Bloedel Donovan Park. County health officials say that swimming in water with high E. coli levels could cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.