Published July 29 2014
The City of Bellevue closed the swimming area at Chism Beach Park Monday (July 28) afternoon until further notice. While the swimming areas will be closed, the park will stay open.
After recommendations made by Seattle-King County Public Health Department, the city closed the beach, (9600 SE 11th St.) as a precaution due to a small sewer overflow in the vicinity of the park. The sewer overflow was quickly identified and addressed by the Utilities Department. Water quality is in the process of being tested, with results expected within 24 hours. After which time, a determination will be made concerning the duration of the beach closure.
King County Water and Land Resources, in cooperation with local jurisdictions, routinely tests and monitors water quality at beaches on Lake Washington. The county will continue to test and monitor the water throughout the week.
Swimming in areas with high bacteria can cause health concerns for some individuals. The Seattle-King County Public Health Department is responsible for determining the public health implications of bacteria monitoring results and under current regulations, local health officers determine whether a water body is polluted or not, on a case-by-case basis. King County offers more information about lake bacteria.
For more information about Chism Beach, please contact Pat Harris, Grounds Operations Manager, Parks & Community Services; 425-452-2930, pharris@bellevuewa.gov, or Tony Marcum, Operations & Maintenance Manager, Utilities at 425-452-2877, TMarcum@bellevuewa.gov.